In a surprising and strategic move, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against their cross-town rivals, the Mets. The decision came on the heels of a critical lapse by Torres during a late-inning ground ball in Tuesday's game, which he attributed to groin discomfort.
Oswaldo Cabrera stepped in to fill Torres' usual spot at second base, marking a notable shift in an already turbulent period for both Torres and the Yankees. The 27-year-old Torres has struggled significantly over the past two weeks, managing a meager slash line of .108/.222/.324. With an overall batting average of .215/.294/.333 in the 2024 season, Torres’ performance has fallen well below expectations, translating to an OPS+ of just 78. This is a sharp decline from his career OPS+ of 114 coming into the season.
Boone's decision underscores the urgency facing the Yankees as they navigate a challenging stretch of their schedule, compounded by notable absences including Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton. "We need him to go. We need him to get going, especially through this stretch,” said Boone, emphasizing the critical role Torres is expected to play. “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 rough patch recently, dropping five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. Despite entering Wednesday’s clash with an impressive record of 52-29, their lead in the AL East is rather slim, only two games ahead of the Orioles. This slump has put additional pressure on the team to make strategic decisions to reignite their winning form.
The timing of Torres' struggles could not be more inconvenient for a team in need of consistent contributions. The Yankees are in the thick of a pressing schedule and require solid performances from their roster to maintain their position at the top. Ensuring Torres’ health and reigniting his bat are essential for the Yankees’ aspirations this season.
While the Mets boast the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6, the Yankees find themselves in a precarious situation. Every game matters significantly as they strive to stay ahead in the highly competitive AL East race. Boone’s tactical decision to rest Torres is both a wake-up call and a sign of the manager’s trust in his player’s ability to bounce back.
Torres’ accountability regarding his recent performance was noteworthy, as he openly attributed his failure to run out the ground ball to the aforementioned groin discomfort. It remains to be seen how this injury will impact his ability to contribute moving forward, but the Yankees’ medical team will undoubtedly be closely monitoring his condition.
As the Yankees continue their season, the spotlight is firmly on players like Torres to step up and deliver. The managerial decisions made during this crucial phase could very well define the course of their campaign. All eyes will be on Boone and his strategies to navigate this challenging period while maintaining their lead in the division. For Torres, the message is clear – the team needs him to be at his best to fortify their lineup and reclaim their winning momentum.