Gleyber takes his best shot at return to lineup

Gleyber Torres ran sprints before Tuesday night’s game at the Stadium, so the rolled ankle is not an issue. The wrist, which had been bothering him for the last three to four weeks, is feeling better after Monday’s cortisone shot and he is hopeful to be back soon. He was out of the starting lineup for the second straight night as the Yankees took on the A’s.

“I believe I can play in Houston. I want to play tomorrow for sure and just try to do everything possible today,” Torres said. “And let’s see how I feel.”

Aaron Boone said today could be a possibility, but the Yankees manager is usually very cautious with players who are dealing with injuries.

Torres said he had been nursing the wrist with tape and therapy for the last three weeks.

“I feel like I have like three weeks already before I got the shot yesterday. I mean, put tape, (heat) and those little things just try to play without pain, but the last couple weeks it was getting pretty sore every day,” Torres said. “And I was with the doctor and he preferred I get the shot and (the injury has) gotten better after that.”

Torres saw the doctors after rolling his ankle in Sunday’s victory over the Astros and decided since he would likely miss a game it was better to have a cortisone shot -— which takes a player out for at least two days — now.

He waited until after the stretch of 13 straight games against the Rays, Blue Jays and Astros.

“As a player when you get those types of series, I mean, it’s like playoff games. You are excited to play those teams and compete,” Torres said. “I mean I just mentally don’t try to think too much about my wrist pain and just play like that. I mean, like try to do my job and try to play like I do and try not to get any worse.”

In the last six games, however, Torres went 1-for-18 with five strikeouts. That was a noticeable difference from Torres’ resurgence this season. After two years of struggles at the plate, he’s hitting .250/.302/.487 with 13 homers and 32 RBI.

JUDGE CLARIFIES ‘BEST PLAYER’ QUOTE

Aaron Judge may be the best player in baseball and there would be little argument against it, but the Yankees slugger did not mean to say that. He is human after all and just got a little tongue-tied on Sunday.

“When you’re the best player on the team how can you not (be confident)?” Judge said in a YES postgame interview on the field Sunday. The clip has gone viral.

“I was trying to say ‘when you are the best team on the planet,’ and I knew I messed it up,” Judge said Tuesday. “What I said was when you’re the best planet on the team. And I thought to myself I really messed that up. And then I tried to say something about the fans and that came out wrong too.”

BANUELOS DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT

Manny Banuelos finally making his Yankees debut 14 years after he was signed as a phenom out of his native Mexico was one of the best stories of the early Yankees season, but the 31-year-old’s time with the Bombers has come to an end again — for now. The lefty was designated for assignment before Tuesday night’s game to make room for J.P. Sears, who made a spot start.

“It was difficult,” Boone said. “Obviously, it’s a numbers game.

“One of the things that made it difficult on top of who the person he is and the story, and how much it’s been a joy to be around him every day and what he’s brought to the field every day, is we really think he can pitch and he hasn’t got a lot of opportunities.”

Banuelos, who was seen as multiple-inning protection for the starters, made just three appearances. That’s mostly because the Yankees starters were going deep into games, not a reflection of him. He pitched to a 2.16 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks.

“He earned his way here. He was on the outskirts going into spring training and opened up everyone’s eyes,” Boone said. “And we certainly hope for the best for Manny. Selfishly, I hope he remains with us, but you certainly understand this situation in the process, too.”

Banuelos will have to pass through waivers and can elect free agency after that or accept an assignment back to the minors.