Boone Benches Torres as Yankees Seek Rebound
In a surprising but perhaps necessary move, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. This decision came a day after Torres' failure to hustle on a crucial late-inning ground ball, a lapse he later attributed to groin discomfort.
Taking Torres' usual spot was Oswaldo Cabrera, stepping in at a time when the Yankees desperately need consistency from their infield. Torres, at 27 years old, finds himself in the midst of a challenging 2024 season, batting .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs across 80 games. His current OPS+ of 78 is a stark contrast to the career OPS+ of 114 he carried into this season.
The struggles are particularly pronounced in recent weeks, as Torres has slashed a mere .108/.222/.324 over his last two weeks of play. The Yankees, currently plagued by injuries to key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, can ill-afford Torres' slump if they are to maintain their standing atop the AL East. Entering Wednesday's game, the Yankees held a 52-29 record, narrowly leading the division by two games over the Orioles.
The Yankees' recent performance has been shaky; they've lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. Such trends underscore Boone's urgency in seeking a turnaround, emphasizing the need for Torres to find his rhythm. "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 stated.
Ensuring Torres' health and reigniting his bat are critical to the Yankees' aspirations this season, particularly as they face a pressing schedule. The day off might serve dual purposes: providing Torres with an opportunity to recover physically and mentally reset.
Meanwhile, the Mets entered the game with the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6, adding an extra layer of urgency for the Yankees. Contributions from players like Torres are indispensable as the Yankees aim to reclaim their early-season form and solidify their playoff positioning.
Boone's decision, albeit tough, highlights the critical juncture at which the Yankees find themselves. The need for every player to perform, especially those like Torres who are expected to anchor the lineup, has never been more evident. The next few games will be telling of both Torres' ability to bounce back and the team's resilience in the face of mounting pressure.