New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a noteworthy decision to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Mets, opting to replace him with Oswaldo Cabrera. This move followed Torres' failure to run out a critical late-inning ground ball the previous day, a lapse he attributed to groin discomfort.
Torres, a 27-year-old infielder, has been enduring a challenging season. His current statistics for the 2024 season show a batting line of .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs over 80 games, translating to an OPS+ of 78. In comparison, Torres entered the season with a career OPS+ of 114, highlighting his struggles this year.
Particularly troubling for Torres has been his performance over the last two weeks, where he has slashed an uninspiring .108/.222/.324. These figures simply do not align with the kind of output the Yankees need from him, especially during a critical stretch for the team.
Manager Aaron Boone underscored the importance of Torres' role on the team and the necessity for him to overcome his current slump. "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 stated, emphasizing the urgency of rekindling Torres' offensive prowess.
The Yankees, who entered Wednesday’s game with a 52-29 record, are clinging to a precarious two-game lead over the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East race. However, their recent form has been concerning, losing five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. This downturn has heightened the need for key players such as Torres to step up, particularly as the team navigates a grueling schedule.
Adding to their challenges, the Yankees are currently without significant contributors Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton due to injuries. This makes the need for Torres’ resurgence all the more pressing. The squad faces the formidable Mets, who boast the best record in Major League Baseball for June, standing at 14-6. Boone and the Yankees are acutely aware that they cannot afford continued underperformance from pivotal players if they are to maintain their position and push for postseason success.
Ensuring Torres' health and revitalizing his bat are critical to the Yankees' aspirations this season. While the infielder’s groin discomfort is a concern, it is paramount that he returns to form and becomes the middle-order presence the Yankees have long relied on. As Boone and his coaching staff work to navigate this rough patch, the contributions from players like Torres could very well determine the trajectory of their season.
As the Yankees strive to rediscover their winning ways, the spotlight will be firmly on players like Gleyber Torres to rise to the occasion. With a pressing schedule ahead, the team's hopes of maintaining their lead in the AL East and progressing deep into the postseason depend heavily on the turnaround of their struggling stars.