Torres: Timing, not hip, to blame for skid

According to Gleyber Torres, the right hip strain that landed him on the disabled list isn’t the reason the Yankees’ All-Star second baseman is stuck in a deep slump.

“Not really. I feel good in my hip, everything’s all right,’’ Torres said prior to Wednesday night’s 6-1 loss to the Rays at Yankee Stadium, in which he was replaced in the lineup by Ronald Torreyes. “It’s just my timing is a little bit off. I’m working every day in the cage to feel really good and do my job.”

Torres was hitting .294 with 15 homers, a .350 on-base percentage and a .905 OPS when he went on the DL July 5. Since then, he has struggled mightily at the plate.

“My body is feeling good. Right now, I’m not hitting pretty well but I think I’m doing my adjustments every day. Trying to be focused every day, working in the cage and BP. Trying to refocus and do my job,’’ said Torres, who is hitting .145 (10-for-69) with three homers, a .250 on-base percentage and a .540 OPS in the past 19 games (18 starts).

“My first half was really good, I hit pretty well. Now I started really slow but everybody does adjustments. I do my adjustments right now, just try to refocus, be positive and try to help my team,’’ he said.

Aaron Boone said he believed Torres was trying too hard to escape the horrific slump.

“I feel like he was pressing a little bit, kind of chasing that hit, if you will,’’ Boone said. “Physically, I feel he is in a good place. I just felt like he has been grinding pretty hard at the plate right now. Just a day right now to catch his breath and hopefully he will find that good timing which is right around the corner.’’

Torreyes, who went 0-for-4, made his eighth start at second this season and first since being recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

In order to make room on the 25man roster for Luis Cessa to start Wednesday night, the Yankees designated right-handed reliever George Kontos for assignment. Following the game, in which he allowed five runs on seven hits in 3 ¹/3 innings, Cessa was optioned to SWB. The Yankees will need to make a corresponding move before Thursday’s game.

According to Boone, Gary Sanchez did his hitting indoors and ran outside prior to Wednesday’s game. It’s possible the catcher could participate in some minor league rehab games next week, but first he has to run 100 percent and hit outside.

CC Sabathia played catch and said he likely will throw a bullpen session on Friday to test the inflamed right knee that landed him on the DL Monday.

The Yankees are 9-16 in their past 25 games against the AL East after starting the season 18-9 versus the division.