The early signs are that Gleyber Torres will be fine, but the setbacks for the Yankees’ most consistent and healthy hitter this season will be significant.
Torres injured what the club called a left hip strain in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday’s 8-5 win over the Royals in the Bronx.
There were no immediate plans to send Torres for inspection.
“I just met him after the game.” [the clubhouse]And he said he was already feeling better,” reported manager Aaron Boone. “But we have not received any reports from trainers about it.”
Boone didn’t know when Torres first felt the pressure, but the second baseman carried Bobby Witt Jr.’s ground ball to center field in the third inning and threw it to first base as it drifted toward the shortstop (too late).
Torres was squatting for a while after the play.
Anthony Volpe hit as a pinch hitter by the 7th inning against Torres, who started as a regular shortstop rest day.
Torres hit a 2-run homer with 1 hit in 3 at bats in the first inning, his 16th of the season.
While Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton and the rest of the Yankees’ batting lineup have suffered long-term stagnation, Torres is the club’s most consistent hitter.
His OPS. 769 was the team’s best among eligible hitters, and he was at bat in his second Sunday.
Game 100 was supposed to be Volpe’s first time off, but it didn’t happen.
With Volpe coming on as a substitute, he has played in every game this season.
Oswaldo Peraza started at shortstop in a prolonged downturn for players from New Jersey.
Volpe has gone 5-for-44 (.114) in his last 13 games, and his OPS has languished at .657.
Boone said he didn’t think Volpe was physically tired, but Peraza’s recent promotion gave him the opportunity to take a little breather, or at least a few innings off.
“I have been careful [Volpe’s workload]”Boone said.
Jonathan Loaisiga right after the trade deadline He will emerge as a timely addition to clubs that have lost him.
The bullpen has never been the Yankees’ problem, but the relievers are showing signs of wear and tear.
The Yankees’ greatest strength in the first three months of the season was a surprising weakness in July.
The Yankees entered the Sunday afternoon game against the Royals this month with a 4.95 bullpen ERA, the 11th-worst performance in baseball during the period.
Even if most bullpen arms are tired, Roai Shiga’s arms should be fresh. The veteran was initially diagnosed with elbow inflammation and has been sidelined since April 5.
Later, in May, the osteophyte on the right elbow was removed.
Roaisiga returned to the mound and threw a 16-pitch mock match against Aaron Judge On Sunday the judges did not allow the ball into play.
“I thought Law would look great,” Boone said. “It’s really encouraging to see Law in action, both command-wise and staff-wise, he was almost right there in the playoffs. It was really encouraging.”
Roai Shiga threw everything from the four seamers, sinkers, sliders and changeups, and said he felt “really good.”
“I think I have strength in my arms. I feel healthy,” Roaisiga said through translator Marlon Abbrew. “I’m looking forward to coming back and helping the team.”
The 28-year-old plans to fly to Tampa and pitch another simulation game on Wednesday, which should include about two innings, Boone said.
He will probably start rehab next weekend.
Roai Shiga struggled last season but rediscovered his talent and bounced back as the Yankees’ quintessential shutdown reliever.
“We know what’s out there,” Boone said.
The Yankees removed outfielders Jake Bowers and Greg Allen from the 10-day injured list and optionally released outfielder Francie Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Oswaldo Cabrera was sent off on Saturday night.
Bowers suffered a left rotator cuff strain on July 5 and missed 12 games.
He hit the leadoff and went 1-for-3 on return, including a walk.
“I’m thrilled to have him back,” Boone said of Bowers, who went 7-for-9 in his three-game rehabilitation stint against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. “He’s been swinging the bat a lot over the last few days.”
Allen, who has been out since June 2 due to a hip flexor, will return as a fast-footed fourth outfielder who can contribute as a solid defense and pinch runner.
That role has become a little more valuable than in past seasons, as the league tweaked the rules to introduce more stolen bases into the game.
Allen, who ran for Bowers in the seventh inning and was ejected after attempting to steal second base, had played in the minor leagues with bigger bases and limited pickoff attempts.
“I never hated it,” he said when he learned MLB would bring rule changes to the big leagues.
Nestor Cortez (left rotator cuff injury) started rehab for the first time at the University of Double-A Somerset and threw 42 pitches in two 1/3 innings. Cortez allowed four hits, no walks, one run, and four strikeouts.
University men’s basketball coach and reigning national champion Dan Hurley threw the first pitch.