New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself on the bench in Wednesday’s game, a repercussion of a slump that's raising concerns within the team. The decision came from Manager Aaron Boone, after Torres delivered a lackluster performance during a pivotal moment in the previous game. Boone opted to replace Torres with Oswaldo Cabrera at second base for the final game of their two-game series against the New York Mets.
Torres is currently posting a batting average of .215/.294/.333, with only seven home runs over 80 games—a performance not consistent with the player who held a career OPS+ of 114 at the start of 2024. Alarmingly, Torres's recent form has been even more dismal, evidenced by an abysmal slash line of .108/.222/.324 over the past two weeks. When asked about his performance, Torres cited groin discomfort, which he implied had affected his hustle on the field.
“Nothing that’s too significant,” Boone remarked, downplaying the physical issues Torres mentioned.
“He might get a couple days to reset... mentally, physically,” Boone added, suggesting this break could be key to rejuvenating Torres’s performance. “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.”
The timing of Torres's downturn couldn’t be worse for the Yankees, who find themselves in a tight race in the American League East. Currently standing at 52-29, the Yankees hold a narrow two-game lead over the Orioles. However, the team has been struggling, losing five of their last six games and seven of their last nine.
Adding to the Yankees’ woes, key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton are sidelined with injuries. This makes Torres’s performance, or lack thereof, even more critical to the team's success.
Meanwhile, the Mets have been surging, boasting MLB’s best record in June with a 14-6 streak. The Yankees’ inability to capitalize during this period of inter-league play magnifies the challenges they face as they strive to stay ahead in their division.
“I just feel like he needs it,” Boone noted, reiterating his belief that a short break might be precisely what Torres requires to regain his form.
The coming days will be crucial for both Torres and the Yankees. Torres's ability to bounce back from this slump and contribute effectively could make all the difference as the Yankees eye the postseason, grappling with both internal challenges and formidable opponents.