Torr' de Force

Now on bench, Yanks' jack of all trades gets back over .300

With the return of Starlin Castro and Greg Bird to the Yankees’ infield this weekend, regular playing time may be tough to come by for Ronald Torreyes.

The 5-foot-8 utility man is doing his best to ensure he’s not forgotten

Making his first start since Thursday, Torreyes collected three singles, drove in a run and scored another in the Yankees’ 10-1 win over the Mariners on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Torreyes lifted his batting average to .302, marking the first time he’s been over .300 since May 9. The Venezuela native has nine hits in his last 14 at-bats after also recording a four-hit game Wednesday in Detroit.

“I’m happy, but most of all, I’m pleased just to help the team win games,” Torreyes said through an interpreter. “I’ve always appreciated the opportunity that they give me to play, so I’m happy about that.”

Torreyes drew the start at second base Sunday with Castro at DH. The two combined for seven of the Yankees’ 15 hits on the day.

In 36 games since the All-Star break, Torreyes is batting .333 (41for-123), a stretch that has coincided with more regular playing time as Castro missed 31 games on the dis- abled list. Torreyes also filled in at shortstop at the beginning of the season when Didi Gregorius was hurt, batting .308 by the time he came back.

“I prepare the same way regardless of the job that I have for that particular week or time,” Torreyes said. “I do the little things, and I’m ready for whenever my number is called.”

Torreyes has started 39 games at second base, 23 at shortstop and 15 at third base, joining the Mets’ Asdrubal Cabrera as one of two major league players this season to make at least 15 starts at each of those positions.

Now, with Castro back as the full- time second baseman and Bird returning at first base to put Chase Headley and Todd Frazier into a platoon at third, the Yankees’ infield just got a whole lot more crowded.

But it may be tough to keep a .300 hitter out of the lineup for long.

“He’s been great,” manager Joe .Girardi said. “He’s played really, really well. We need it to continue, because I know that I’m going to have to spell those guys a little bit. Castro’s coming off an injury, so it really helps.”

Said Torreyes: “I’m prepared mentally and physically to do whatever they ask me to do.”

Getty Images HARD HITTER: Ronald Torreyes drives in a run in the first inning Sunday. After being forced to the bench, the diminutive second baseman has kept hitting when called upon.