Boone Benches Torres Amid Slump and Health Concerns
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a notable decision to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. This move came a day after Torres failed to run out a critical late-inning ground ball, a lapse Torres later attributed to groin discomfort.
With Torres on the bench, Oswaldo Cabrera stepped into the second base position. At 27 years old, Torres has shown glimmers of promise, but his performance this season has been underwhelming. Slashing .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs across 80 games, his current numbers translate to an OPS+ of 78. This is a stark contrast to his career OPS+ of 114 coming into the season.
Over the last two weeks, Torres’ struggles have intensified, as evidenced by his alarming .108/.222/.324 slash line. His decline comes at a time when the Yankees, who are missing key players like Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, urgently need contributions from consistent performers in their lineup.
The Yankees, now 52-29, entered Wednesday's showdown against the Mets with a two-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East race. However, recent team performance trends are troubling, with the Yankees losing five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. They face a Mets squad boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6.
The decision to bench Torres underscores a broader issue for the Yankees—ensuring the health and resurgence of one of their key players is vital to their season's aspirations. Boone emphasized Torres' importance to the team, saying, "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."
It is clear that the Yankees' success hinges not only on participation from players like Torres but also on their ability to perform at expected levels. The team's pressing schedule leaves little room for error, making it imperative for Torres to overcome his recent difficulties and return to form.
As the Yankees navigate this challenging period, the spotlight is on Torres to deliver the consistency and impact he has previously demonstrated in his career. The team's fortunes may well depend on his ability to reignite his bat and contribute significantly both at the plate and on the field. The coming weeks will be crucial, and Torres' performance could be a determining factor in the Yankees' quest for postseason success.