Yankees' Gleyber Torres Benched Amid Struggles
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres found himself on the bench for Wednesday’s game, a result of a slump that has impacted both his performance and the team’s recent stretch. Manager Aaron Boone made the decision to give Torres a break, calling upon Oswaldo Cabrera to take over at second base as the Yankees concluded their two-game series against the crosstown rival New York Mets.
Torres's season stats have been concerning. With a batting line of .215/.294/.333 and just seven home runs over 80 games, his current OPS+ of 78 is a significant decline from his career OPS+ of 114 up to this point in the 2024 season. Over the past two weeks, Torres's slump has been particularly evident, hitting just .108/.222/.324. The drop in productivity has raised eyebrows and prompted Boone to take action.
Boone commented on his decision, "He might get a couple days to reset...mentally, physically." The need for a break was emphasized by Boone, who believes that a temporary pause could benefit Torres in the long run. "Nothing that's too significant," Boone added, seeking to downplay any notion of serious benching. Yet the message was clear: the Yankees need more from their second baseman.
Tensions are high for the Yankees as they strive to maintain their lead in the American League East. Holding a slim two-game lead over the Orioles, the Yankees stand at 52-29, but their recent form has wavered. The team has lost five of the last six and seven of the last nine games, raising alarm among fans and management alike. Adding to their woes, injuries to critical players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton have further complicated the team’s current struggles.
Torres has cited groin discomfort as a contributing factor to his recent lackluster performances. While this provides some context for his decline, it doesn’t diminish the urgency for improvement. Boone emphasized the importance of Torres's role: "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."
Undoubtedly, Torres’s presence and performance are pivotal for the Yankees as they navigate through this challenging phase of the season. Boone expressed confidence in his approach, stating, "I just feel like he needs it," underscoring the collective belief that a short break could help Torres rediscover his form and contribute significantly moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Mets have been on an impressive run, boasting the best record in MLB for June at 14-6. The two-game series was crucial for both New York teams, with the Yankees looking to rebound and the Mets aiming to sustain their momentum.
As Boone's strategic choices come to the forefront, the pressure mounts for the Yankees to find their rhythm and for Torres to regain his consistency at the plate. How the benching impacts Torres's overall performance in the coming weeks could very well shape the Yankees' fate as they push deeper into the season.