Cincinnati Reds Claimed Oswaldo Cabrera off Waivers
The Reds acquired the 27-year-old utility player following his designation for assignment by the Yankees.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Baseball
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The Cincinnati Reds claimed utility player Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers on Friday. The move follows the New York Yankees decision to remove the 27-year-old from their 40-man roster earlier in the week.
Why it matters
The Reds hope to utilize Cabrera's two remaining years of club control as they evaluate the utility player for future seasons. Cabrera will remain under team control through the 2028 season, with his upcoming salaries determined through arbitration.
Cabrera, 27, has appeared in 304 career MLB games with 20 home runs and a .232 lifetime batting average. In 2026, he recorded 19 home runs and a .288 batting average while playing for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre squad.
The players
Oswaldo Cabrera
He is a 27-year-old utility player from Venezuela who has recorded 20 career home runs in the major leagues.
Cincinnati Reds
This professional baseball franchise competes in the National League Central division of Major League Baseball.
New York Yankees
This Major League Baseball team is based in the Bronx and competes in the American League East division.
The details
The New York Yankees designated Cabrera for assignment on Wednesday, clearing him for the waiver process that resulted in his arrival in Cincinnati. The team intends to assess his performance through his remaining years of club control.
Timeline
The New York Yankees designated Cabrera for assignment on Wednesday, 2026-09-16.
The Cincinnati Reds claimed Cabrera off waivers on Friday, 2026-09-18.
Cabrera remains under team control through the 2028 season.
Season Trajectory
This acquisition positions the Reds to utilize the MLB salary arbitration system to manage roster depth through 2028. The move underscores a strategic pivot toward evaluating versatile players who remain under team control for multiple seasons.
Cabrera's status as an arbitration-eligible player means the Reds control his contract rights for two additional seasons beyond the current year. Fantasy managers should note his .288 Triple-A average in 2026 as a sign of potential offensive output if he secures a consistent role.
The takeaway
The Reds are banking on Cabrera's minor league production to translate to the major league level during his remaining arbitration years. Fans should monitor his spring training performance as he attempts to secure a utility role on the active roster.
Further reading
For more news on current roster moves, visit Cincinnati Baseball.
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