New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself sidelined from the starting lineup on Wednesday following a subpar performance in a critical situation during the team's previous game. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone made the strategic decision to bench Torres, opting for Oswaldo Cabrera to take his place at second base. This move came as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the New York Mets.
Struggles at the Plate
Torres's current batting statistics highlight a season riddled with challenges. Batting .215/.294/.333, Torres has managed only seven home runs across 80 games. This results in an OPS+ of 78, starkly contrasting with his career OPS+ of 114 leading into the 2024 season. Over the past two weeks, his struggles have been particularly pronounced. His recent slash line of .108/.222/.324 underscores the sharp decline in his performance.
Manager Boone acknowledged the dip in Torres's productivity, noting the need for Torres to rest and recalibrate. "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." Boone emphasized the necessity for Torres to be an influential figure in the Yankees' lineup, particularly during this crucial juncture of the season.
Impact of Injuries
The Yankees are grappling with injuries to key players, including Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton. These absences have compounded the team's recent difficulties, as evidenced by their record over the past few games. The Yankees have lost five of their last six and seven of their last nine games. Despite these setbacks, the team still holds a 52-29 record, maintaining a narrow two-game lead over the Orioles in the American League East.
Torres has attributed some of his recent issues to groin discomfort, which may offer some explanation for his lack of hustle and diminished performance. Boone, while acknowledging this aspect, downplayed the severity of the ailment. "Nothing that's too significant," he mentioned, suggesting that the groin issue, while present, should not be a major hindrance to Torres’s recovery and return to form.
Opposing Momentum
While the Yankees have been struggling, the Mets have surged, boasting MLB's best record in June with a 14-6 stretch. This contrasting form between the cross-town rivals has added another layer of pressure on the Yankees to rectify their recent slump. Boone's decisions, including benching Torres, reflect an effort to rejuvenate the team and restore their competitive edge.
"I just feel like he needs it," Boone remarked, referring to the benching of Torres. This decision is rooted in the broader objective of ensuring that all players are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. With pivotal games on the horizon and the margins in the standings slim, every strategic move carries weight.
As the Yankees navigate this challenging period, the hope is that Torres's temporary respite will facilitate a return to his previous form. Reinvigorating Torres and addressing the injuries plaguing key players like Rizzo and Stanton will be pivotal for the Yankees as they aim to fortify their lead in the division and regain their winning momentum.