New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, a decision made by Manager Aaron Boone following Torres's subpar performance during a crucial moment in the previous game. The Yankees, looking to bounce back in their two-game series against the New York Mets, leaned on Oswaldo Cabrera to fill Torres’s spot at second base.
Torres's recent struggles have been well-documented. Batting just .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs over 80 games, Torres's productivity has been significantly below expectations. This offensive downturn translates to an OPS+ of 78, a far cry from his career OPS+ of 114 prior to the 2024 season. Furthermore, over the past two weeks, Torres's performance has dipped even more alarmingly, posting a slash line of .108/.222/.324.
Torres's Underwhelming Performance
Manager Boone acknowledged the need to bench Torres, reasoning that a break could help the struggling player reset. "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically," Boone explained. "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 further emphasized that the decision wasn’t because of a significant issue, but rather a necessary step to aid Torres. "I just feel like he needs it," Boone concluded.
Torres himself partially attributed his lack of hustle to groin discomfort, a condition that might be hampering his overall performance on the field. Nonetheless, Boone and the coaching staff hope that a brief period on the bench might rejuvenate Torres and enable him to contribute more effectively down the stretch.
Yankees' Current Standings and Challenges
Despite the team's notable standing at 52-29, the Yankees have encountered several hurdles recently, including injuries to key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton. These setbacks have undoubtedly impacted the team's overall performance, as evidenced by their recent slide, losing five of their last six and seven of their last nine games. Holding only a slim two-game lead over the Orioles in the American League East, the Yankees are under immense pressure to hold onto their lead and regain their winning momentum.
The Yankees are now facing a formidable Mets team, who have been dominating in June, holding MLB’s best record for the month at 14-6. This upswing in performance from the cross-town rivals places additional pressure on the Yankees to turn things around promptly. Oswaldo Cabrera’s role at second base becomes even more critical as the Yankees navigate through this challenging period and look for consistent contributions from the rest of their lineup.
In an effort to shore up their infield and spark a turnaround, Boone will need to continually evaluate the performance of his players, including decisions regarding Torres's recovery and readiness. Boone’s decision reflects a pragmatic approach to management: giving a struggling player the necessary time to reset while ensuring the team remains competitive in a tight divisional race.
The team's future success will likely hinge on how well they manage player health and performance, particularly as they deal with injury setbacks and periods of poor performance from key players. With a critical part of the season unfolding, the Yankees will need all hands on deck to weather the storm and push through these adversities.