Yankees Bench Gleyber Torres Amid Struggles
In a move that underscores the urgency of their current predicament, the New York Yankees have decided to bench second baseman Gleyber Torres. Manager Aaron Boone opted to leave Torres out of Wednesday's starting lineup following a critical performance slump during the previous game. Oswaldo Cabrera was called upon to step in and cover second base as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the New York Mets.
Torres's season statistics have been disappointing so far, as he is currently batting .215/.294/.333 with only seven home runs over the span of 80 games. These numbers translate to an OPS+ of 78, a marked decline from his career OPS+ of 114 entering the 2024 season. The last two weeks have been particularly rough for Torres, reflected by a dismal slash line of .108/.222/.324. This sharp decline has come at a precarious time for the Yankees, who have been grappling with significant injuries to key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton.
Manager Aaron Boone addressed the media regarding Torres's benching, explaining the decision to give the young infielder some time to recover and reset. "Nothing that's too significant," Boone commented, downplaying the severity of Torres's situation. He elaborated further, saying, "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically."
Boone was clear about the importance of Torres's role in the team, emphasizing the need for him to reclaim his form. "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 said, underscoring his faith in Torres's potential impact.
Torres himself has attributed his recent lack of hustle to groin discomfort, which may explain some of his subpar performance metrics. However, the Yankees, who currently hold a 52-29 record and lead the American League East by a slim two-game margin over the Orioles, cannot afford prolonged periods of underperformance from any of their key players.
The team is also dealing with broader struggles. The Yankees have lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine, further complicating their quest to maintain their lead in the division. The Mets, on the other hand, have been thriving, boasting MLB's best record in June with a standout 14-6 mark. This contrasting momentum between the cross-town rivals only heightens the pressure on the Yankees to stabilize their lineup and improve their performance.
Boone's decision to bench Torres, therefore, is a tactical move aimed at jolting the team back into a winning mindset. "I just feel like he needs it," Boone added, summing up the necessity of granting Torres time to recuperate both mentally and physically.
As the Yankees look to navigate the challenges ahead, the coming days will be crucial for both the team and Gleyber Torres. The hope is that a brief respite will help the struggling infielder find his stride and contribute effectively once again to the team's quest for postseason success.