Boone Benches Torres Amid Struggles and Poor Hustle
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a bold decision on Wednesday, opting to leave second baseman Gleyber Torres out of the starting lineup for the game against the New York Mets. This move comes in the wake of Torres’ failure to run out a crucial late-inning ground ball during the previous game, a lapse he attributed to groin discomfort.
Taking over Torres' usual spot in the infield was Oswaldo Cabrera, a change that underscores the urgency Boone and the Yankees feel as they navigate a challenging part of the season without some of their key players, including Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton.
The 27-year-old Torres has been grappling with a slump recently, hitting a mere .108 with an on-base percentage of .222 and a slugging percentage of .324 over the past two weeks. These numbers are a far cry from his career OPS+ of 114 leading into the season. For the 2024 campaign, Torres is slashing .215/.294/.333 with seven home runs across 80 games, translating into an OPS+ of just 78—well below his career performance benchmarks.
Boone didn't mince words about the urgency of revitalizing Torres' contributions, emphasizing the second baseman's importance. "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. The manager’s comments reflect the broader sentiments within the Yankees organization as they endure a rhythm-disrupting stretch filled with consecutive losses.
The Yankees entered Wednesday’s contest against a red-hot Mets team—boasting the best record in Major League Baseball for June at 14-6—carrying a 52-29 record. Despite holding a two-game lead over the Orioles in the tight AL East race, the team has encountered turbulence, losing five of their last six games and seven of nine. This rough patch heightens the need for consistent contributions from players like Torres, who was once a cornerstone of their offensive strategy.
Ensuring Torres' health and reigniting his offensive capabilities are critical to the Yankees’ aspirations this season, particularly as the team deals with a pressing schedule and the absence of notable sluggers. The current situation amplifies the spotlight on other roster members to step up, with Boone and his coaching staff likely making these tough decisions to send a clear message about effort and readiness.
The Yankees' perseverance through this bumpy stretch will depend heavily on getting their prominent players back on track. While Torres’ physical discomfort may offer some explanation for his recent basepath blunder, the broader concern remains his overall dip in performance. As the season progresses, Boone and his team will undoubtedly be looking for Torres to reclaim his form and once again become a pivotal force in their lineup, aiming to strengthen their position as division leaders.
For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate, with the Yankees needing every player to contribute to navigate the daunting schedule ahead. Boone’s management decisions will be crucial as the team seeks to stabilize and regain the momentum essential for a deep playoff run.