Gleyber Torres Exits Game with Groin Tightness
Thursday’s grim 17-5 loss to the Orioles saw Gleyber Torres leave early with groin tightness. This steamy Bronx afternoon initially held promise as Torres showcased his power in the second inning with a home run. Post-game, Manager Aaron Boone reassured fans that cautiousness dictated the decision to pull Torres from the lineup, emphasizing that the injury appeared minor.
Before leaving the game, Torres faced a challenging fifth inning defensively. Missteps began as he backhanded a Jordan Westburg grounder unsuccessfully, earning an error. On the subsequent play, Cedric Mullins nearly outran his throw to first, highlighting Torres’ defensive struggles. The Yankees attempted a comeback in the bottom of that inning, but an Alex Verdugo groundout squashed the rally, leaving Ben Rice to hit for Torres.
As play resumed in the sixth, Oswaldo Cabrera moved from third to second base, DJ LeMahieu shifted to third, and Rice took first base. However, Cabrera quickly faltered, mishandling a hard grounder by Ramon Urias, adding to the defensive woes.
Gleyber Torres’ Season Woes Continue
The injury compounds what has already been a challenging season for Torres, who is approaching free agency for the first time. Entering the game in a noticeable slump, Torres had gone 0-for-15 over his last five games, resulting in a dismal .629 OPS for the season. This marks a stark contrast to his previous year’s performance, where he posted an OPS of .800 in a bounce-back campaign, reflecting his best form since his 2019 All-Star season.
Torres’ defensive lapses have exacerbated his struggles. With 11 errors in 76 games so far this year, he is on pace to surpass last season’s 15 errors over 145 games. Such inconsistency could not have come at a more inconvenient time as he approaches a key contract period.
Yankees Face Dilemma at Second Base
The Yankees now face a conundrum regarding second base. With DJ LeMahieu no longer as defensively dependable and Oswaldo Cabrera lacking experience in the position, viable replacements for Torres are scarce. LeMahieu’s waning defensive agility, combined with Cabrera’s inexperience, underscores the Yankees’ need for stability at second base should Torres’ injury sideline him.
This situation highlights the broader challenges the Yankees must address, especially as they navigate inconsistencies within their lineup and strive for a robust defensive setup. The game against the Orioles, punctuated by Torres’ departure and subsequent defensive missteps, serves as a critical reminder of the team’s vulnerabilities and the urgency of finding a reliable solution at second base moving forward.
