The Yankees placed McMahon on the injured list due to a throat infection and activated Cabrera.

Today, the Yankees put third baseman Ryan McMahon on the 10-day IL for a throat infection and recalled utility man Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"My throat was sore and infected," McMahon said. "It's a peritonsillar abscess. I had it drained today, and the doctor said I can't do anything for 72 hours. The team decided to put me on the IL, so that's where we are."

"I feel a lot better now. But after the drainage, there's still an open wound there, so the risk of infection remains."

McMahon last played on Monday, and the IL stint is retroactive to Tuesday. He could rejoin the Yankees' lineup as early as July 3, U.S. time. He becomes eligible for activation on July 2, but that day is a scheduled off day for the Yankees.

McMahon said the infection started on June 15, "but the few days before that were nothing compared to the last four or five days," and it was still "bearable" until Monday. As for whether he would travel with the team to Boston for a four-game series or head back to New York, that hadn't been decided two hours before Thursday's game in Detroit.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he was relieved after learning that McMahon had the drainage procedure done earlier in the morning and was recovering "and feeling much better."

"I know the last couple of days have been tough for him," Boone said.

The Yankees already had three Opening Day lineup players on the injured list: Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Trent Grisham. Opening Day starter Max Fried is also on the IL.

"It's realistic," Boone said. "We've definitely lost a few guys right now. We'll take it day by day. Everyone who's out there can play, and we're monitoring it daily."

With McMahon out, Boone used Amed Rosario at third base on Tuesday and José Caballero on Wednesday.

McMahon was acquired from the Colorado Rockies before the 2025 trade deadline. In 69 games this season, he has a batting average of .210, an on-base percentage of .269, and a slugging percentage of .360, with eight home runs. His overall OPS since joining the Yankees is .635.

During McMahon's absence, the Yankees will likely have Rosario handle most of the starts at third base. Cabrera, who hasn't played in the majors since undergoing surgery on his left ankle last May, could also be an option in the rotation.

Asked why they chose to bring up Cabrera, Boone said: "He's been playing well lately, and we really feel like he's been improving month by month. Obviously, with that injury last year, he missed a lot of time. Now he's kind of worked his way back into our sights with his performance."

Cabrera, 27, has spent all four of his major league seasons with the Yankees and has played almost every position on the field, though third base is where he has started the most games. Over 302 career MLB games, he has a .234 batting average, a .295 on-base percentage, and a .346 slugging percentage, with 20 home runs. This season at Triple-A, he posted a .727 OPS.

Boone added that watching Cabrera hit right-handed in the minors has been "pretty exciting." The switch-hitter has a career .238 average against righties and .220 against lefties.

Cabrera is also well-known in the clubhouse as a fun-loving guy.

"Oswaldo Cabrera, honestly, there's nothing bad to say about him," Boone said. "The way he shows up every day, as a person, a teammate, a friend, a competitor... you know, he's just great."

"I've always said that Oswaldo can play almost any position with a glove. He carries a joy that's contagious. And he handled that tough stretch with so much class and grace."