Just as Gleyber Torres has finally begun to hit, the Yankees are not going to ask him to move positions — at least not yet.
And Torres did not sound thrilled about the prospect of such an idea coming into play.
In the wake of the Yankees acquiring Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has mostly played second base and center field as a big leaguer, manager Aaron Boone spoke with Torres about getting some work in at third base. But Boone said he would be “a little reluctant” to play him there right now, as the Yankees are expected to give Chisholm the first shot of playing at the hot corner.
After Sunday’s 8-2 win over the Red Sox, Torres acknowledged his conversation with Boone and said he would take occasional grounders at third base to be “ready for anything.”
But when asked if he expected to play mostly second base the rest of the way, Torres was blunt.
Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees throws over Danny Jansen #28 of the Boston Red Sox but could not complete the double play during the third inning at Fenway Park on July 28, 2024.
“Yeah, I’m a second baseman. I play second,” he said.
That backed up what Boone said earlier in the day, that “Gleyber wants to stay at second base, understandably.”
“But I think he’ll be open to doing some work over there and take ground-ball days, just getting a little bit of work, get a little bit of feel,” Boone said.
Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees connects on his swing for a two-run single against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on July 28, 2024.
Torres last played third base in 2018 at Triple-A.
“I don’t like it,” Torres said. “It was just an opportunity to play in the big leagues faster at that moment. Just do everything possible to help the team in that moment.”
It’s possible Chisholm, under team control through 2026, could move back to second base next season after Torres becomes a free agent.
Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees talks to Danny Jansen #28 of the Boston Red Sox after Torres was knocked over trying to complete a double play attempt during the third inning at Fenway Park on July 28, 2024.
For now, the Yankees just need Torres to keep hitting like he has been of late after a brutal start to his walk year. After hitting a two-run single and drawing two walks Sunday, he is batting .316 over his last 21 games.
Giancarlo Stanton remains on track to be activated off the injured list Monday in Philadelphia after missing five weeks with a hamstring strain.
The biggest question is how the Yankees will open up a roster spot for him.
They sent J.D. Davis packing on Sunday, designating him for assignment to make room for Chisholm on the active roster.
Barring other moves, that leaves Jahmai Jones, Oswaldo Cabrera, Ben Rice or DJ LeMahieu as the possible roster casualties. Jones has not had much of a role on the field but the Yankees could keep as much roster flexibility as possible by optioning Cabrera or Rice, despite their contributions offensively.
LeMahieu has struggled the most, but he still has two years and $30 million left on his contract after this season, making it a costly option. But with Chisholm expected to get action at third base and Rice hitting better at first base, the veteran LeMahieu could be relegated to a bench role.
“The bottom line is DJ has been a great player and still very much in the mix at all the infield spots,” Boone said. “We’ll see how it shakes out.”
The Yankees had acquired Davis last month to hit left-handed pitching after he was DFA’d by the A’s, but he never got settled. He spent time on the injured list because of a stomach flu and played just seven games, batting 2-for-19 (.105) with a .385 OPS.
Matt Blake rejoined the Yankees on Sunday after being away from the team the last three games for the birth of his first child, a baby girl.
