TORONTO _ Gleyber Torres was out of the starting lineup Thursday with a "beat up," left shoulder, Aaron Boone said before Thursday night's series finale against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
"Yeah, (he's) just, been playing a lot. A little beat up, a little sore in the shoulder the last couple days. (He's) available, he'll be a guy off the bench, but wanted to give him a day," the Yankees' manager said. "Could give him tomorrow as well. No, just kind of ... .wear and tear. Obviously he's playing a lot and playing well. Normal rigors of a season."
Boone said it wasn't one play that caused discomfort in the shoulder. Infielder Thairo Estrada, the young prospect who could be heading back to the minors on Friday when Didi Gregorius is activated, played shortstop Thursday night.
If Torres is going through something more serious than the Yankees have indicated, however, this is pretty good timing. Gregorius is going to come off the injured list and rejoin the team on Friday.
Torres has played in the field for 56 of the Yankees' 60 games this season. The 22-year-old played in 123 games total last season because of a stint on the IL. He has been critical to the Yankees ability to get off to a good start this season without their star players. After Troy Tulowitzki _ the Yankees plan to stop gap shortstop until Gregorius finished his rehab from Tommy John surgery _ got hurt the first week of the season, Torres has played a very solid shortstop. He has been a key bat hitting .279/.326/.523 with 14 homers and 31 RBIs.
Torres has played shortstop well enough that the Yankees can take their time and decide if they want to engage Gregorius, who is a free agent next season, in extension talks. They could easily hand the job to Torres going forward.
Gleyber said last week he is not worried about where he will play when Gregorius comes back. "I am just happy that I am playing, when Didi comes back, we'll be happy he's back too," Torres said. "I am comfortable at second base. I don't care where they play me."
Torres will likely play shortstop, his natural position, once or twice a week as Gregorius eases his way back.
But Friday, Gregorius will be back in the lineup at shortstop, Boone confirmed.
That's a huge boost to the clubhouse and the lineup.
"I don't think I have to tell you guys what a good player he is. I think you guys have seen now over the last few years what he means to our club in so many ways," Boone said. "To get a player like him back is exciting. Having a serious, significant injury. The fact that everything has kind of gone best case scenario as far as him rehabbing and getting well and to be in this position to return now is exciting for all of us."
