HOUSTON — Add another item to the manual regarding judging players in spring training: The Gleyber Torres rule.
Provided with a chance to win the Yankees’ starting second-base job in spring training, Torres didn’t impress and was sent to the minors before the final cuts were made. It was clear the 21-year-old infielder was trying to shake off the rust of not having played beyond last June 17 and coming back from Tommy John surgery on his left (non-throwing elbow).
Now, run the tape ahead, and after nine big-league games a scout who saw Torres in spring training doesn’t recognize him.