In a surprising move, the New York Yankees decided to bench Gleyber Torres for Wednesday’s game against their city rivals, the New York Mets. This decision by manager Aaron Boone follows a series of subpar performances by Torres during critical moments in recent games, culminating in a notably poor display during the pivotal stages of their latest matchup.
Boone has opted to place Oswaldo Cabrera at second base for the final game of the two-game series. The reshuffling of the lineup underscores the Yankees' urgent need for consistent performance as they navigate a challenging stretch in the season. The Yankees, currently holding a slender two-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the fiercely competitive American League East, cannot afford to have any weak links.
Struggles at the Plate
Torres's struggles this season are evident in his stats. With a batting average of .215/.294/.333 and only seven home runs across 80 games, his offensive output has been far below his career norms. This decline is further highlighted by his OPS+ of 78, a stark contrast to his career OPS+ of 114 prior to this season. Over the past two weeks, Torres's performance has been particularly worrisome, as reflected by a slash line of .108/.222/.324.
Manager Aaron Boone commented on the benching, providing insights into the decision. "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." Clearly, the team is hoping that a short break can help Torres find his form again and contribute effectively down the road.
Injury Concerns
Torres has attributed some of his recent lack of hustle to groin discomfort. This admission from the second baseman adds another layer to his struggles. While Boone acknowledged this issue, he downplayed its significance, stating, "Nothing that's too significant." Nonetheless, it appears that the combination of physical and mental fatigue might be impacting Torres more than initially understood.
The Yankees are currently battling through a rough patch, having lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. Their leadership in the AL East is being challenged not just by their recent form but also by the surging performance of the Mets, who boast the MLB's best record in June at 14-6.
A Team in Turmoil
Apart from Torres's struggles, the Yankees are also dealing with injuries to key players like Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton. These injuries have exacerbated the team’s difficulties, forcing Boone and his staff to make critical adjustments and rely on the depth of their roster. "I just feel like he needs it," Boone said about giving Torres a bit of a breather, hoping that some rest can rejuvenate the player’s performance on his return.
The team’s recent slump is a cause for concern as they aim to maintain their lead in the division and set themselves up for a strong playoff push. The Yankees' current record of 52-29 reflects their overall strong performance this season, but they need to navigate through this challenging phase effectively to retain their edge.
As the Yankees conclude their series against the Mets, all eyes will be on how the team adjusts without Torres in the lineup. Oswaldo Cabrera’s performance at second base and the overall team dynamics will be crucial. The immediate goal is simple yet paramount: to regain form and stability amidst this tempestuous period.
Whether Torres's benching turns out to be a short-term blip or a striking catalyst for a resurgence remains to be seen. What is certain is that the Yankees need a turnaround, and fast, if they are to fend off their division rivals and keep their postseason ambitions intact.