Gleyber Torres’ injury proved serious enough to require evaluation and rest, but not serious enough that the Yankees are concerned he’ll miss an extended period of time.
Manager Aaron Boone said Torres was removed after five innings in Thursday’s loss because of right groin tightness and that he underwent an MRI on Friday which came back negative.
The manager said he was “looking at Torres on a day-to-day basis,” but later said he could have used him on the bench if necessary.
“We’re hopeful he’ll be back this weekend,” Boone said before the Yankees’ 8-1 loss to the Braves in the Bronx.
Torres, who played in each of the Yankees’ first 77 games, missed the first game of a particularly important season for him as a potential free agent.
After a terrible start with an OPS of just .550 through the end of April, the second baseman returned to being the solid hitter he was this past season, hitting six home runs and posting an OPS of .742 between May 1 and June 13.
However, before the injury, he was in a slump, only getting one hit in 17 at-bats.
With Torres out, Boone started Oswaldo Cabrera at second base and DJ LeMahieu at third base. Cabrera was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Also out of the starting lineup was Alex Verdugo, who crashed into the wall while making a spectacular catch in center field on Wednesday. “He’s a little hurt,” Boone said.
The fact that the Yankees will be facing tough left-hander Chris Sale made the decision easier.
“I wanted to buy it for him. [day off]”Verdugo made a great pitch,” Boone said of Verdugo’s performance as the left fielder. Verdugo replaced Jamai Jones in that role. Jones tripled to score the team’s only run, but the ball was knocked away in the outfield.
Ron Marinaccio, who was taken off the mound after Thursday’s loss because the Yankees needed fresh pitchers, has been optioned three times this season.
A player may only exercise his option five times per season, after which the player may become eligible for waivers.
Boone said Marinaccio handled the demotion “like a pro.” [but] He’s obviously not thrilled about it.”
Infielder Jon Berti (left calf strain) could begin a rehab assignment “hopefully in the next few weeks,” Boone said.
Berti won’t be eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list until the end of July, but Boone said he’s “moving in a good direction.”
Giancarlo Stanton (1-for-3) recorded a season-high nine consecutive hitting games for a total batting average of .371.
Phil Bickford recorded the final two outs, one of which was a strikeout, in his Yankees debut.
