In a surprising yet calculated decision, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone chose to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets. This came a day after Torres' controversial on-field lapse where he failed to run out a crucial late-inning ground ball, a move scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
To fill the void left by Torres, Boone assigned Oswaldo Cabrera to take over the second base position. Torres, 27, has been a key player for the Yankees, but his recent slump and a batting line of .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs in 80 games have raised concerns. His failure to hustle was attributed to groin discomfort, which might explain his downward trend, hitting a dismal .108/.222/.324 over the past two weeks.
Boone emphasized the need for Torres to rebound, especially as the Yankees navigate a challenging period. “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. His sentiment reflects the Yankees' current predicament and their reliance on Torres' talent to clinch victories.
Adding to the team's struggles, the Yankees are without key players Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, compounding the pressure on the remaining squad members to step up. Torres has been a significant contributor in the past, with a career OPS+ of 114 coming into the season. However, his OPS+ this season has dropped to just 78, highlighting his regression.
The Yankees' recent performance underscores their inconsistency, having lost five of their last six games and seven of their last nine. Despite these losses, they entered Wednesday's showdown with an impressive 52-29 record, maintaining a two-game lead over the Orioles in the fiercely competitive AL East. The schedule does not offer any reprieve, and every game counts in the race for the postseason.
The Mets, who boast the best record in Major League Baseball for June with a 14-6 run, posed a formidable challenge. The Yankees’ dire need for consistent contributions from players like Torres cannot be overstated. Ensuring Torres is both healthy and productive is undeniably critical to the Yankees' aspirations this season. The decision to sit him out might be a strategic move to allow him to recuperate and return with renewed vigor.
The Yankees' season thus far has been a rollercoaster, and their resilience will be tested in the coming weeks. With pivotal players sidelined, the onus falls on the likes of Torres to break out of his slump and deliver. Boone's candid remarks reflect the urgency and high stakes surrounding the team's quest for dominance.
In the grand scheme, Wednesday's decision to bench Torres, while seeming drastic, could well be a turning point. The Yankees need their roster firing on all cylinders if they are to solidify their position and make a deep postseason run. As the season progresses, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on Torres and his ability to overcome this rough patch, contributing to the Yankees' lofty ambitions.
The clock is ticking, and as Boone underscored, the time for Torres to "get going" is now. The Yankees' fortunes could hinge significantly on his resurgence, a storyline that adds further intrigue to an already gripping season.