The New York Yankees’ infield has been a source of instability during the early weeks of the 2024 regular season. While rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe has impressed, veterans Gleyber Torres at second base and Anthony Rizzo at first base have both struggled significantly.
DJ LeMahieu, expected to provide stability at third base, suffered a setback in his rehab assignment on Tuesday, delaying his return. In his absence, 25-year-old utility player Oswaldo Cabrera has been filling in at third base along with Jon Berti, who is currently dealing with an injury.
Cabrera has hit .278 with a .312 on-base percentage, but his production has been declining sharply. His wRC+ has dropped to 124 after initially hovering around 200, and he has managed only two hits in his last four games. His low walk rate of 5.2% is becoming a significant issue as the Yankees need him to get on base more consistently.
Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres is having a tough start to what is a contract year for him. Over 24 games, he’s batting just .186/.290/.209, without a home run, and a 58 wRC+, indicating he is performing 40% below the average MLB hitter. His strikeout rate has increased by more than 11% from the previous year, and his power metrics have declined.
Anthony Rizzo, another infield veteran, has also underperformed despite hitting a two-run homer on Tuesday. He’s batting .231/.307/.319 with two home runs and 10 RBIs, and his walk rate has dropped to a career-low 6.9%.
The Yankees’ infield struggles have forced them to consider potential changes. Gleyber Torres’s future with the team is uncertain, and Anthony Rizzo’s performance has raised questions about his long-term fit. The Yankees could look to the trade market or to their farm system for reinforcements, but for now, they will need to rely on their current infielders to improve their consistency.
