KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gleyber Torres is wavering as if he's not ready to learn about the Yankees' free agent plans.
Torres was at the center of the Yankees' scoring rallies for both teams through the first five innings on Thursday, with two hits, one run scored, and two RBIs, all key to a 3-1 series-clinching victory over the Royals. fulfilled its role. Four in the ALDS at Kauffman Stadium.
Coming back from rock bottom late in the season when he returned to the leadoff spot, Torres dove for the first pitch of the game and hit a double to center field.
Two pitches later, Juan Soto scored on a single.
“Gleyber started in an important game for us,” Aaron Judge said. “Great spot.”
Torres started the year on a walk-on contract by expressing a desire to be a “Yankee for life,” and extended that contract by scoring four of his 14 points in four games for the Yankees.
“He's getting on base at a really high time,” manager Aaron Boone said. “But you're also seeing some aggression. First pitch of the game, boom. Get another RBI and extend the lead. He's been having these quality at-bats over the last few months, and it's very It was big.”
Torres also served as a peacekeeper in the sixth inning, when the bullpen and benches were empty after Michael Garcia took a hard slide into Anthony Volpe at the back end of a double play, hitting Volpe around Garcia's neck. The result appears to have been an accidental tremor of the patient's forearm.
As Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Garcia locked jaws back and forth, Torres tried to lead Garcia back to his teammates.
The Yankees have five days after the World Series ends to decide whether to extend Torres' qualifying offer.
But Torres helped the Yankees move one step closer to a final appearance for the first time since 2009.
John Barty started at first base Thursday in Game 4 against Royals right-hander Michael Wacha, going 1-for-3 with one walk in his second start of the series.
Oswaldo Cabrera started in Games 1 and 3, including Game 1 against Wacha.
“So far, that's been one tough decision for me every day,” Boone said. “I liked the performance of both of them. I thought Berti was excellent in his game on both sides of the ball, both at-bat and defensively. Cabby was great as well. Wacha was a little more neutral with his changeup. I felt the balance of right, left, right, left all the time. [the lineup]. But the cabby could have easily left too. ”
Nestor Cortez (left elbow flexor injury) played catch again Thursday and continued to increase the intensity of his sessions.
He hopes to be able to throw on the mound by early next week, and if all goes well, he could be an option for the World Series if the Yankees advance to the World Series.
The Yankees' minor league facility in Tampa suffered some flooding and damage Wednesday night from Hurricane Milton.
Foul poles at Steinbrenner Field were toppled, the batter's eye at the player development facility was torn off, and some fences were toppled.
