New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, a direct result of a lackluster performance during a crucial moment in the previous game. Manager Aaron Boone made the decision to bench Torres, opting instead to give Oswaldo Cabrera a chance to fill the gap at second base as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the New York Mets.
In recent games, Torres’s batting has been underwhelming. He is currently hitting .215/.294/.333, with only seven home runs over the span of 80 games. This translates to an OPS+ of 78, a significant decline from his career OPS+ of 114 entering the year 2024. Concerns about Torres have been mounting, particularly over the last two weeks, where his performance slumped to a troubling slash line of .108/.222/.324.
Manager Aaron Boone addressed Torres’s benching candidly, emphasizing the need for a reset. "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically," Boone explained. "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 have encountered a challenging period, currently boasting a 52-29 record but holding only a slim two-game lead over the Orioles in the highly competitive American League East. The team has been bogged down by recent struggles, dropping five of their last six and seven of their last nine games. Further compounding their troubles are injuries to key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, which have placed additional pressure on the remaining roster.
Aaron Boone’s comment, "Nothing that's too significant," likely aims to downplay concerns about Torres’s current state. However, Boone’s actions underscore the seriousness of the situation. "I just feel like he needs it," Boone added, justifying the temporary benching as a necessary move for both the player and the team.
Torres himself has suggested that groin discomfort may be contributing to his lack of hustle, though the extent to which this has affected his performance remains unclear. The 27-year-old infielder’s inconsistent play is a stark departure from the prowess he displayed earlier in his career, raising questions about both his health and his mental readiness.
The New York Mets, on the other hand, have been on a hot streak, boasting MLB's best record in June with a 14-6 run. Their upward momentum contrasts sharply with the Yankees' recent downturn, adding another layer of urgency to Boone's decision to bench Torres and rework the lineup.
As the Yankees navigate this critical stretch, the focus remains firmly on recalibrating their roster and regaining form. Gleyber Torres’s potential to rebound is undoubtedly a key factor in those efforts. The expectation from Boone and the entire team is clear: Torres needs to return to his role as a significant force in the lineup.
Ultimately, the coming days will be crucial for both the Yankees and Gleyber Torres. With talent evident in his career statistics, there is hope that a brief hiatus might be just the remedy needed to restore his confidence and performance. Meanwhile, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching every move as the Yankees strive to overcome their current challenges and maintain their lead in the AL East.