Oswaldo Cabrera’s road to recovery has begun.
The Yankees’ beloved utilityman announced he underwent successful ankle surgery Thursday after suffering a broken ankle in a gruesome play at the plate Monday night in Seattle.
“My return to the field begins today,” Cabrera wrote in an Instagram post late Thursday night.
“Thanks to you, I feel more motivated than ever. So, with the strength l’ve always had and all this beautiful energy that you all give to me, I tell you that I will return, and I will return even stronger to continue giving my best every day. I LOVE U.”
The Yankees expected the surgery to determine whether or not Cabrera has a chance to play again this season, based on what the doctors found when they got a better look inside.
It was not immediately clear if Cabrera suffered any ligament damage in addition to the fracture.
In the meantime, Cabrera called Monday “such a sad night” that initially left him with “many negative thoughts” after the painful injury occurred.
But he said the outpouring of support he received from family, friends, fans, agents, coaches and teammates put a “big smile” on his face.
A number of Yankees players and staffers, including Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe and Aaron Boone, went to visit Cabrera in the hospital late Monday night before he was discharged.
Cabrera’s teammates were distraught and crushed when he was taken off the field in an ambulance but gained some solace when they saw him in good spirits later that night or Tuesday morning in the hotel lobby before he flew back to New York.
“Maybe it’s because it’s only after going through something like this that you realize the love that surrounds us,” Cabrera wrote.
“And TODAY, after a successful surgery with an excellent medical team and God, with my parents, my fiancée and my agent, my heart full of love, I want to THANK YOU ALL. Thank you for worrying about me, for every message, for keeping me in your prayers, for making me feel so supported. This is something that my family and I will never forget!”
