Yanks sit IKF, play Cabrera at SS, Hicks in LF

The New York Yankees shook up their lineup as they faced elimination Sunday night against the Guardians in Cleveland.

Rookie Oswaldo Cabrera replaced Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop, while Aaron Hicks took over for Cabrera in left field.

The moves came after defensive miscues from Kiner-Falefa cost the Yankees in their 6-5 loss Saturday to the Guardians.

Manager Aaron Boone said before Sunday’s game he felt Kiner-Falefa was “pressing,” which led to the decision.

“You know, playing a little bit not to make that mistake,” Boone said. “And I think that’s gotten in his way a little bit. So I just felt like I needed to do this today. I still expect him to play a huge role for us in what we hope is a couple more weeks of baseball, but I felt like today it was something that was the right thing to do.”

Cabrera, an infielder by trade, was playing out of position in left field and failed to keep a ball in front of him in the ninth inning that turned a single into a double. He will slot back into his more natural position Sunday.

“I have a ton of confidence in Oswald Cabrera … at shortstop and what he brings to the table as an infielder and how he’s established himself in the back half of the season,” Boone said.

Hicks, meanwhile, will see his first action of the series.

Boone also reiterated his decision not to use Clay Holmes in Game 3 was due to the closer’s recent shoulder issue and some minor soreness Holmes reported after his outing on Friday. Boone said Holmes would be available in Game 4 as well as a potential Game 5 if he reports no soreness.

The Guardians lead the Yankees 2-1 in the series. A win Sunday will send them to the American League Championship Series to face the Houston Astros.

ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle contributed to this report.