New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres was notably absent from the starting lineup on Wednesday, following a pivotal moment in the previous game where his performance fell short. In a critical move, Yankees Manager Aaron Boone opted to bench Torres, favoring Oswaldo Cabrera to fill the slot at second base as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the New York Mets.
Struggling at the Plate
This decision comes amidst a period of struggles for Torres, whose current batting statistics read .215/.294/.333, with just seven home runs over 80 games. Compared to his career OPS+ of 114 entering 2024, his current OPS+ stands at a concerning 78. Over the past two weeks, Torres's performance has deteriorated further, evidenced by a slash line of .108/.222/.324. Such numbers offer a stark illustration of his difficulties.
Underlying Discomfort
Torres has attributed his lack of hustle to groin discomfort, an issue that may be affecting his performance more than initially anticipated. Despite this, Boone emphasized the need for Torres to regain his form, especially during this challenging phase for the team. "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically," Boone explained, indicating that a brief respite might be exactly what Torres needs to recuperate and revitalize his game.
Manager’s Perspective
The manager elaborated on his decision to bench the struggling second baseman: "I just feel like he needs it." Boone continued, expressing the team's urgent need for Torres to reclaim his spot as a reliable presence in the lineup. "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' Current Struggles
The Yankees are navigating a challenging period, currently holding a 52-29 record but having lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. Injuries to key players like Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton have further complicated the team’s situation. Their slim two-game lead over the Orioles in the American League East makes these upcoming games critical for maintaining their standing.
Opposition on a Roll
Meanwhile, their city rivals, the Mets, were performing exceptionally well in June, boasting MLB's best record for the month at 14-6. This opposing momentum added another layer of complexity to Boone's decision-making process regarding Torres's playing time and overall team strategy.
Boone remained optimistic despite the challenges, suggesting that nothing too significant was hindering Torres from making a comeback. The key now lies in finding the right balance between rest and play to ensure Torres can return to his peak form.
As the Yankees continue their season, all eyes will be on how Gleyber Torres responds to this period of adjustment and if he can reignite the spark that made him a critical player for the team. The hope within the Yankees' camp is clear: Torres must regain his footing to help the team through this pivotal stretch and continue their quest for excellence in the league.