Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera continues to come up big with DJ LeMahieu out

BALTIMORE – The early part of spring training was rough for Oswaldo Cabrera, mirroring his inconsistent 2023 season.

In four separate stints with the Yankees last year, Cabrera’s .211 batting average and .574 OPS across 115 games (330 plate appearances) created some uncertainty entering 2024.

But something clicked in mid-March, as Cabrera began making more consistent hard contact at the plate, while occasionally abandoning switch-hitting against lefty pitching.

DJ LeMahieu’s non-displaced right foot fracture late in camp opened a regular spot at third base for Cabrera, whose blazing start contributed to the Yanks’ early success.

Things had quieted lately for Cabrera, batting .167 (7-for-42) with zero extra-base hits in 11 games, until Wednesday night at Camden Yards.

Facing the right-handed Baltimore Orioles’ ace Corbin Burnes, Cabrera’s two-run homer was the difference in a 2-0 Yankees win, an important early season victory after dropping the first two games of a four-game set against the defending AL East champs.

“I’m always trying to stay in the present," said Cabrera, who was thrilled to see his fifth-inning drive stay just inside the right field foul pole against Burnes.

“The last couple weeks, I haven’t been hitting (the way) I want, but that doesn’t mean I’m not taking good at-bats," said Cabrera, with as buoyant a personality as you’ll find in the Yankees clubhouse.

“For a young guy, he’s such a good pro," manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s a worker, and he’s provided a lot of value for us.’’

It had appeared that LeMahieu would return last weekend, only to suffer a setback in his first rehab start.

LeMahieu was feeling much improved by Wednesday, according to Boone, and the veteran infielder should begin ramping up baseball activity this weekend.

If he resumes his minor league rehab assignment soon, it’s possible that LeMahieu returns to the Yankees by mid-May.

At that point, Cabrera would presumably return to a super utility role, as a backup shortstop and occasional starter at second base and third base. He also has experience at first base and left field.

But that’s too far down the road, and Cabrera – tied for second on the club with 18 RBIs - remains focused on the present.

Cabrera was awed by Luis Gil’s sharp start Wednesday against a difficult Orioles’ lineup, going 6.1 scoreless innings before the bullpen took it across the finish line.

“(Gil’s) getting better every time," said Cabrera, happy to deliver a big hit to support him.

“On a night when you’re going against one of the league’s best pitchers, he was the difference," Boone said of Cabrera.

Clay Holmes maintains his 0.00 ERA

After Gil and Cabrera, the other difference makers were lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson (two strikeouts) and closer Clay Holmes.

Called on to get five outs, Holmes converted his 10th save and kept his ERA at 0.00.

“Thought his stuff was really sharp," Boone said of Holmes’ signature sinker and his two versions of the slider, a pitch he’s relied on with more frequency.

Holmes’ stats across 15 games (15 innings), including 16 strikeouts vs. one walk, mask some of his early-season command issues and the tightrope-walk nature of a few of those saves.

But lately, Holmes has been on point, and “I know where I need to be, what to keep track of," with his mechanics. “Just sticking to things and trusting the results will come."

One difference has been Holmes’ downhill path toward the hitter.

That’s when his delivery feels synched up, in the proper arm slot, and allowing him to trust the action on his sinker.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera continues to come up big with DJ LeMahieu out