Yankees to manage 2B Torres after Friday fall

Gleyber Torres‘ MRI on his right hamstring Saturday came back negative, but the New York Yankees still plan to be cautious with the second baseman as the regular season winds down.

Torres slipped after backhanding a grounder Friday night, prompting an audible gasp from the crowd at Yankee Stadium. He was pulled later and said he felt weakness in his lower legs. He was not in the lineup Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, although manager Aaron Boone said Torres was feeling good.

Prior to the Yankees’ announcement, Boone said the American League East champions will be careful with Torres over the final week of the regular season. New York has seven games remaining and won’t play its postseason opener until Oct. 4.

“I think he’s OK,” Boone said of Torres, “but the wear and tear of playing every day in the season, he’s been kind of taking care of himself every day and getting treatment on a lot of his lower half just as a maintenance thing, so certainly with him try to be a little more cautious.”

Torres, 22, leads the team with 38 homers and is hitting .284 with 90 RBIs and an .889 OPS. If Torres misses time, DJ LeMahieu would be New York’s primary second baseman, with Gio Urshela starting at third. LeMahieu was held out of the lineup for rest Saturday.

The 100-win Yankees are in a tight race with the Houston Astros for home-field advantage. Boone is trying to strike a balance between battling the Astros and resting his stars.

“Any ailments we’re dealing with, taking care of that trumps everything,” Boone said.

Edwin Encarnacion (oblique) could return to the lineup during the upcoming midweek series against the Tampa Bay Rays. He is a bit ahead of catcher Gary Sanchez (groin tightness), but Boone said Sanchez could be back for the final series at Texas. Boone is “confident” Sanchez will be ready for the playoff opener.

ESPN’s Marly Rivera and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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