Early indications are that Gleiber Torres will be fine, but any setback for the Yankees’ most consistent and healthy hitter this season will be significant.
Torres was pulled in the bottom of the seventh inning of Sunday’s 8-5 win over the Royals in the Bronx with what the club described as a tight left hip.
There were no immediate plans to send Torres for auditions.
“I just saw him after the match [the clubhouse]”He’s already feeling better,” said manager Aaron Boone. “But I didn’t get a report from the coach on that.”
Boone didn’t know when Torres first got upset, though as the second baseman was reaching center in the third inning, fielding fielder Bobby Witt Jr., he threw a first (too late) while drifting towards the shortstop.
After the play, Torres squatted for a few moments.
By the seventh inning, Anthony Volpe struck out Torres on what began as a day of rest for his customary shortstop.
Torres went 1-for-3 with one home run in the first inning, his 16th of the season — trailing only Aaron Judge (19) among the Yankees.
While Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, and the rest of the Yankees players had long slumps, Torres was the most consistent hitter on the club.
His 7,669 game OPS is the best on the team among eligible hitters, and he lost on Sunday 2nd.
The 100th game was supposed to be Volpe’s first day off, but it didn’t work out that way.
Volpe’s substitution resulted in him playing in every game this season.
Oswald Peraza started at shortstop amid a long slump for New Jersey.
Volpi is 5-for-44 (. 114) in his past 13 games, his OPS sinking to 0.657.
Bonn said he didn’t think Volpi was physically tired, but Peraza’s recent promotion offered him the opportunity to give him a rest – or at least a few rounds.
“I was aware [Volpe’s workload]Bonn said. “I feel like physically, he’s been in really good form all year, but it was kind of hard to get him out of there.”
Shortly after the trade deadline, Jonathan Luaysiega He would loom as a just in time addition to the club he missed out on.
The bullpen wasn’t a Yankees problem, but the relievers showed signs of wear.
The Yankees’ biggest strength in the first three months of the season was the sudden weakness in July.
The Yankees entered a Sunday afternoon game against the Royals with a 4.95 bullpen ERA this month, which was 11th worst in baseball in the period.
If the majority of the bulls’ arms are tired, a fresh Loaisiga should be. The veteran has been out since April 5 with what was initially diagnosed as a sore elbow.
A bone spur on his right elbow was then removed in May.
Loaisiga returned to the mound and threw a simulated 16-game game against Aaron Judge On Sunday, not allowing the judge to put the ball into play.
“I thought Lou looked amazing,” Boone said. “It’s really heartening to see Lo, in terms of driving and stuff – who almost looked like Lo in qualifying there. That was really encouraging.”
Loaisiga said he threw it all in — four seams, sinker, slider and changeup — and it felt “really good.”
“I feel like my arm strength is there. “Feel good,” he told Loisiga through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “I’m looking forward to getting back and helping the team.”
The 28-year-old is expected to fly to Tampa and throw another sim game Wednesday, Boone said, which should include two close rounds.
He will likely start his rehab assignment next weekend.
Loaisiga had his struggles last season, but he’s rediscovered his stuff and bounced back to ease the shutout he usually had with the Yankees.
“We know what we have there,” Boone said.
The Yankees activated outfielders Jake Powers and Greg Allen off the 10-day injured list and optioned quarterback Franchie Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Oswaldo Cabrera was sent to Earth on Saturday night.
Powers missed 12 games after sustaining a bruised left calf on July 5.
He hit the Bullets and went 1-for-3 with a walk in his return.
“Excited to have him back,” Boone said of Powers, who went 7-for-9 on a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “He has thrown the bat really well the last two days.”
Allen, who had been out since June 2 with a hip flexion, returned as a quick fourth baseman capable of playing solid defense and contributing as a pinch runner.
This role is a bit more valuable than in past seasons, as the league has modified the rules to bring more stolen bases into the game.
Allen, who ran for Powers in the seventh inning and was thrown out trying to steal second, played with the larger bases and limited tries in the minor leagues.
When he learned that MLB would be making rule changes in the major leagues, he said he “definitely didn’t hate it.”
Nestor Curtis (left cuff strain) made his first rehab start, with Double-A Somerset, and threw 42 pitches in 2 ⁄ innings. Curtis allowed four batters to run and no walks while striking out four.
UConn men’s basketball coach and reigning national champion Dan Hurley threw the ceremonial first pitch.
