Gleyber Torres Benched Amid Struggles: Yankees' Challenges Continue
The New York Yankees, mired in a stretch of subpar performances, decided to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. This decision by manager Aaron Boone comes on the heels of Torres' pivotal mistake in the previous game, where he failed to run out a critical late-inning ground ball.
Oswaldo Cabrera stepped in to fill Torres' usual spot at second base. The 27-year-old Torres has been dealing with groin discomfort, a factor he attributed to his lack of hustle on the ground ball. However, physical issues aren't the sole contributor to his struggles this season.
Torres' performance at the plate has been underwhelming in the 2024 season. He's batting .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs across 80 games, translating to an OPS+ of 78. These numbers are a stark contrast to his career OPS+ of 114 entering the season. Over the past two weeks, his output has been even more concerning, slashing a mere .108/.222/.324. Such struggles have underscored significant problems for a Yankees team already missing key players like Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton.
The Yankees are certainly feeling the weight of these absences and recent form. Despite entering Wednesday's game with a commendable 52-29 record and holding a two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, they have dropped five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. This rough patch necessitates contributions from all players, especially from those counted on to be fixtures in the lineup like Torres.
When asked about the situation, manager Aaron Boone emphasized the need for Torres to step up, stating, "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 pressing schedule and the competitive nature of the league mean the Yankees cannot afford to have their lineup underperforming. With the Mets currently boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6, the pressure is mounting for the Yankees to string together wins and maintain their lead in the division.
Ensuring Torres' health and reigniting his bat are critical to the Yankees' aspirations this season. A healthy and productive Torres provides depth and reliability, balancing out an injury-plagued roster. As Boone indicated, he needs to be that presence in the middle of the lineup, contributing both offensively and defensively.
Whether the benching will serve as a wake-up call for the young second baseman remains to be seen. The Yankees are in a race not just for the division but for maintaining momentum and morale as they navigate a challenging schedule. For now, the spotlight remains on how Boone and the Yankees will manage their roster to compensate for their current deficiencies and who will step up to propel the team forward during this critical stretch.