New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a notable decision by leaving second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, following Torres' failure to hustle on a crucial late-inning ground ball the previous day. Oswaldo Cabrera was given the nod to take over Torres' usual position.
This move underscores the struggles Torres has faced this season. The 27-year-old infielder has been battling inconsistency, as evidenced by his .215/.294/.333 slash line with seven home runs in 80 games for the 2024 season. Notably, his OPS+ sits at 78, a significant drop from his career OPS+ of 114 coming into the season. Over the past two weeks, Torres' performance has been particularly dismal, slashing just .108/.222/.324.
Boone expressed the urgency of reigniting Torres' contributions, especially given the Yankees' precarious situation. "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.
Torres' lackluster performance and his recent failure to run out a ground ball have been attributed, at least in part, to groin discomfort. This raises additional concerns about his health and its impact on his ability to contribute effectively. The Yankees are already without key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, compounding the need for reliable performance from the rest of the roster.
Despite their recent struggles, the Yankees entered Wednesday's showdown with a commendable 52-29 record, holding a two-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East race. However, the road ahead is challenging. The Yankees have lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine, underscoring the importance of turning things around quickly. Meanwhile, the Mets are having an outstanding June, boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for the month at 14-6.
With the Yankees facing a grueling schedule, the team needs contributions from players like Torres to maintain their lead and push through this tough stretch. Ensuring Torres' health and effectiveness at the plate is critical to the Yankees’ aspirations this season. Boone's decision to sit Torres might serve as a wake-up call, urging the young infielder to regain his form and provide the much-needed offensive support for a team with high expectations.
As the Yankees continue navigating through injuries and underperformance, the pressure is on Boone to make strategic decisions that could either bolster their current standing or exacerbate their struggles. The imminent challenge for Torres is clear: to overcome his physical setbacks and return to being a pivotal presence in the lineup, a necessity voiced resoundingly by his manager.
The Yankees' supporters and the team itself are hopeful that this temporary benching will act as a catalyst for Torres, motivating him to rise to the occasion and contribute significantly to the team’s quest for success in the 2024 season.