Yankees' Andrew Velazquez starts again in place of slumping Gleyber Torres
Andrew Velazquez of the Yankees throws for an out to end the third inning against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Gleyber Torres hasn’t been good in the field or at the plate this season. As a result, regular playing time down the stretch is anything but guaranteed.
Andrew Velazquez started a second straight game in place of Torres on Wednesday night, and Aaron Boone spoke in generalities about when the club again will consider Torres the everyday shortstop.
"I very much expect Gleyber back in there," Boone said without specifying. "I very much expect Gleyber to be a central figure moving forward for us, but felt like today I wanted him [Velazquez] back in there. He’s certainly played a role in helping us win games."
Boone said he’s spoken to Torres about his role.
"We’ve spoken a lot over the last few days about different things," Boone said. "I would expect him back in there at some point and, again, I would expect him to play a big role for us."
Torres, who pinch hit for Velazquez in the seventh and went 0-for-1 with a walk on Wednesday, is hitting .252 with six homers, a .672 OPS and a team-high 15 errors in 104 games. He said he’s been frustrated this season with his performance on both sides of the ball.
"I feel disappointed in myself because I know I’m better than I am right now," Torres said. "I felt like I prepared myself really well during spring training and now I don’t get the results that I want. But it’s [one] year. Hopefully I get another opportunity next year and [in the] years to come. But right now, I’m just trying to, [for the next] 20-something games, to prepare, be ready and help my team."
Velazquez, a superior defender to Torres who at times has shown surprising pop in his bat, is hitting .234 with one homer, four doubles, a triple and a .621 OPS in 25 games.
