Yankees DFA Cabrera to Reinstiate Schmidt Ahead of Postseason

Key points

• Clarke Schmidt was reinstated from the 60-day injured list to join the Yankees' bullpen for the postseason push.
• Oswaldo Cabrera was designated for assignment to make room for Schmidt on the 40-man roster.
• The Yankees opted not to place Fernando Cruz on the injured list, allowing him to pitch through a partial UCL tear.
• Cabrera, 27, has one minor league option remaining and is expected to be claimed by another team.
• Schmidt’s velocity on his cutter has dropped slightly, but his four-seamer remains consistent with previous seasons.

Background

Cabrera, a switch-hitter, has served as a utility player for the Yankees since 2023. He missed the bulk of the 2025 season after suffering a fractured ankle and ligament damage while tagging on a sacrifice fly. In 2026, he spent most of his time with Triple-A Scranton, where he posted a .289/.346/.447 line with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases. The Yankees’ decision to DFA him comes after a season where he logged only 11 major league plate appearances. Meanwhile, Schmidt, a former first-round pick, had established himself as a key starter before his injury, posting a 3.07 ERA over 164 innings in 2024 and 2025.

How outlets are covering it

MLB Trade Rumors and Pinstripe Alley agree that the move was necessitated by the need to reinstate Schmidt, with the latter noting that the Yankees had little set in stone in their bullpen beyond David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, and Brent Headrick. MLB Trade Rumors highlights that Cabrera’s low salary and remaining club control make him an attractive waiver claim, while Pinstripe Alley emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding Schmidt’s return to a starting role versus a reliever role. NBC Sports, while not covering the Yankees move directly, notes the broader context of MLB roster management, such as the Cleveland Guardians managing injury returns for Chase DeLauter, illustrating the league-wide focus on maximizing player availability for the postseason.

Why it matters

This move signals the Yankees’ commitment to bolstering their bullpen for the postseason, even at the cost of a versatile but underperforming utility player. Cabrera’s waiver status could impact other teams looking for affordable depth, while Schmidt’s return offers a potential high-impact arm if he can regain his form. The decision to keep Fernando Cruz active despite his injury reflects the Yankees’ willingness to take risks to maintain roster flexibility and avoid losing a pitcher to the 60-day injured list prematurely.

What to watch

Cabrera will be placed on outright waivers, with the Colorado Rockies having first claim based on reverse standings. If claimed, he will likely serve as a bench player for another team. Schmidt has about two weeks to make a case for a postseason role, with his performance in the final regular-season games against the Minnesota Twins being critical. The Yankees will also monitor Fernando Cruz’s progress, hoping he can return to the mound without requiring UCL surgery.