After a stint in the COVID-19 injured list last week, New York Yankees’ shortstop Gleyber Torres has been cleared to return to action, boosting the Bombers’ infield ahead of an important game on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.
The Yankees’ infielder has been cleared by the Joint COVID-19 Health and Safety Committee and will rejoin the team in Texas. According to manager Aaron Boone, Torres could be activated on time to play Wednesday.
The talented shortstop, identified as one of the future faces of the Yankees, worked out at the Yankees’ facilities in Tampa, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday. As of now, he is the only person of the club’s nine recent positive COVID-19 tests to be cleared, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
Torres has had a tough start of the season, in which he began with evident problems in the field that required some extra work before games with coach Carlos Mendoza. After a rough stretch in April, his defense seems improved.
The Yankees need Torres to get back on track
Offensively, the Yankees’ shortstop hasn’t been able to get his power stroke back, the one that helped him belt 38 home runs in 2019 and contribute in the playoffs in 2020. He only has one home run so far in 2021, but things were starting to look up for him before hitting the COVID-19 injured list.
Gio Urshela, the Yankees’ regular third baseman, and utilityman Tyler Wade have been playing shortstop during Gleyber’s absence.
Even with Torres’ early season struggles, he remains a valuable piece for the present and future New York Yankees.
His overall numbers in 2021 may not look extremely impressive, as he is hitting .234/.326/.298 with a .287 wOBA (weighted On Base Average) and an 84 wRC+, or weighted Runs Created Plus. However, he was heating up before his spell on the shelf: his .268/.359/.375 with a home run and a 112 wRC+ is evidence of progress.
The Yankees would like to see more power from Torres, but with patience, it should come eventually.