Yankees Bench Gleyber Torres Amid Slump
In a move that underscores the urgency of the New York Yankees' offensive woes, manager Aaron Boone opted to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's cross-town showdown against the Mets. This decision follows a concerning trend in Torres' performance, both at the plate and on the base paths, that has coincided with the Yankees' recent slide.
On Tuesday night, Torres failed to hustle on a crucial late-inning ground ball, sparking speculation about his commitment. The 27-year-old later attributed the lapse to groin discomfort, but the explanation did little to ease Boone's frustration or the pressing needs of a team grappling with inconsistency.
Taking over Torres' role on Wednesday was Oswaldo Cabrera, highlighting the Yankees' depth at second base but also the significant gap left by Torres when he's not performing at his best. Boone was candid about the team's expectations for their middle infielder: "We need him to go. We need him to get going, especially through this stretch. ... We need him to be a presence in the middle of our lineup. We've got to get that out of him."
The Yankees, who started the day with a 52-29 record and a narrow two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, have felt the sting of an arduous schedule and key absences. The team is without the firepower of Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, further magnifying Torres' struggles. Torres, once a reliable force, finds himself in a steep decline, batting just .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs over 80 games this season, which translates to an OPS+ of 78 – a significant drop from his career mark of 114.
Torres' recent two-week stretch has been particularly brutal, slashing .108/.222/.324, emblematic of his broader season-long issues. This downturn is not just a statistical concern; it's a pressing issue for a team that has dropped five of its last six games and seven of the past nine. The Yankees' skid underscores the reliance on players like Torres to elevate their performance.
The Mets, boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6, pose no small challenge for the Yankees as they try to regain their footing. Boone's decision to bench Torres signals a need for renewed focus and recovery for a player whose potential contributions remain critical to the Yankees' aspirations this season.
The benching is also a reminder of the physical demands placed on MLB players. Torres' admission of groin discomfort highlights the fine balance between pushing through pain and maintaining peak performance. Ensuring Torres' health, while reigniting his bat, isn't just a tactical necessity but a strategic imperative for the Yankees' long-term goals.
With a pressing schedule ahead, every game bleeds importance, and every at-bat comes under intense scrutiny. For Torres, the immediate goal is clear: rediscover the form that once made him a bedrock of the Yankees' lineup. As Boone alluded to, the team needs Torres to be a formidable presence in the heart of the order, particularly during this stretch where every win counts.
The Yankees' success hinges on a collective resurgence, but the spotlight now shines brightly on Gleyber Torres. His ability to bounce back could very well define the trajectory of the Yankees' season.