Why Yankees can breathe easily after Gleyber Torres scare

The Yankees dodged a bullet Saturday when star rookie Gleyber Torres …

BALTIMORE — Gleyber Torres couldn’t dodge a 94-mph fastball.

Still, the Yankees escaped something that could have been way worse.

Torres was fine after taking a heater off the right wrist in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 8-5 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, manager Aaron Boone said.

“Obviously scary any time you see it around there,” Boone said. “Looks like he checked out OK. He had no issues staying in the game. I think we dodged a bullet there. It’s always scary.”

Torres wasn’t in the clubhouse when reporters were there after the game.

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The 21-year-old second baseman doubled over in pain — twice – after getting hit with righty Miguel Castro’s full-count fastball. Team trainers and Boone checked on him.

After about a minute, Torres — the May American League Player of the Month — walked slowly to first base and stayed in the rest of the game.

He struck out later in the game and finished 0-for-3. He’s hitting .317 with nine home runs and a .959 OPS.

Torres has a chance at rivaling Angels star Shohei Ohtani for AL Rookie of the Year.

He entered the season Baseball America’s No. 6 overall prospect. In the publication’s latest ranking, he had moved up to No. 3.

Torres leads all MLB rookies in batting average since his April 22 debut. He’s one of nine players in franchise history with at least 27 RBI through his first 34 games and the third to do so prior to turning 22 (Joe Dimaggio, 37 RBI, age 21; Mickey Mantle, 31 RBI, age 19).

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.