The New York Yankees entered Wednesday's game against the Mets needing a spark. After losing seven of their last nine games, the team's recent slide has put manager Aaron Boone in a challenging position. One of the most significant decisions Boone made was to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the lineup, opting instead to start Oswaldo Cabrera.
This lineup change comes on the heels of Torres failing to run out a late-inning ground ball in Tuesday's game, citing groin discomfort as the cause. Torres, now 27 years old, has been struggling significantly at the plate. For the 2024 season, he is batting a mere .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs over 80 games, numbers that translate to an OPS+ of 78. This marks a stark decline from his career OPS+ of 114 entering the season.
Boone acknowledged the pressing need for Torres to step up during this challenging stretch for the Yankees. "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 stressed.
The importance of Torres regaining his form cannot be overstated. With key players like Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton out, the Yankees are leaning heavily on their remaining roster to maintain their competitive edge. The team entered Wednesday's game with a commendable 52-29 record, holding a two-game lead over the Orioles in the AL East race. Nonetheless, their recent slump has put pressure on the entire squad.
Wednesday’s opponent, the Mets, provided a formidable challenge, boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for June with a 14-6 run. To counter this threat, the Yankees need all hands on deck, including a fully functioning Gleyber Torres.
In the past two weeks, Torres’ performance has dipped even further, with a slash line of .108/.222/.324. His struggles at the plate and his recent groin issues culminated in Boone making the tough call to bench him, choosing to protect his health while hoping for a turnaround when he returns.
Despite the team's recent rough patch, the Yankees still have plenty to fight for, and their packed schedule leaves little room for error. Boone's decision to bench Torres is not just about one game; it's about ensuring that key players can contribute meaningfully for the remainder of the season. Ensuring Torres' health and reigniting his bat are critical to the Yankees’ aspirations this year.
With their current form, the Yankees urgently need contributions from every corner of the roster, especially from players like Torres, who have the potential to be pivotal in crucial moments. Boone’s strategic decisions over the coming weeks could well determine whether the Yankees can extend their lead in the AL East and secure a promising position for the playoffs.
As the Yankees forge ahead, the hope is that this period of strife and strategic adjustment will galvanize the team. Boone's message is clear: performance and health are paramount. The spotlight remains firmly on Torres and his ability to return to the form that once made him a cornerstone of the Yankees lineup.