New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, a decision made by Manager Aaron Boone following a disappointing performance during a critical moment in the previous game. Boone opted to bench Torres and instead start Oswaldo Cabrera at second base as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the New York Mets.
Torres's recent struggle at the plate has been notable. He is currently posting a batting line of .215/.294/.333, managing just seven home runs over 80 games. This performance translates to an OPS+ of 78, a marked decline from his career OPS+ of 114 coming into 2024. The past two weeks have been especially difficult for Torres, as evidenced by his .108/.222/.324 slash line.
Aaron Boone addressed the decision, emphasizing the need for Torres to regroup. "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically," Boone explained, indicating both the mental and physical components that might be affecting Torres. "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 added, underscoring the importance of Torres's performance to the team's success moving forward.
Torres himself has attributed his lack of recent hustle to groin discomfort. While Boone has downplayed the severity of the issue, stating, "Nothing that's too significant," the benching suggests the need for a more focused recovery period. "I just feel like he needs it," Boone concluded, suggesting that a brief break might help Torres regain his form.
The Yankees' Struggles
The timing of Torres's downturn comes as the Yankees face several challenges. Holding a 52-29 record, the team maintains a slender two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the highly competitive American League East. However, the Yankees have hit a rough patch, losing five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. This slump has been compounded by injuries to key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, further straining the team's lineup.
Adding to the Yankees' woes, the Mets have been in excellent form, boasting MLB's best record in June at 14-6. The juxtaposition of these fortunes has added pressure on the Yankees to regroup quickly and stabilize their performance as the season progresses into the second half.
Moving Forward
For the Yankees to sustain their lead in the AL East and make a strong push towards the postseason, getting key players like Torres back on track is crucial. The benching is not a punishment but rather a strategic move by Boone to allow Torres the opportunity to recover and regain his confidence. The Yankees manager is acutely aware of the potential that Torres brings to the lineup when he is on his game.
The performance of Oswaldo Cabrera in Torres's stead will also be closely watched. As the Yankees look to overcome their recent struggles, contributions from their bench players can prove to be vital. Cabrera's ability to step in and perform could provide the team with the necessary depth as they navigate through injuries and slumps.
In baseball, a season is a marathon, not a sprint, and slumps are part of the journey. Managers like Aaron Boone are tasked with making tough decisions to keep their teams in contention and ensure that their star players are in the best shape possible when it counts the most. For Gleyber Torres, a few days off might just be the reset he needs to return to form and help lead the Yankees through the crucial months ahead.