Spiraling Yankees make a big switch, moving Gleyber Torres off shortstop

NEW YORK – At the 144-game mark of the Yankees’ now-spiraling season, Gleyber Torres has been switched out at shortstop.

Torres was moved back to second base Monday afternoon by manager Aaron Boone, hoping to “maybe take a little pressure off’’ a player whose defensive issues were back in the spotlight.

Going forward with an infield of Anthony Rizzo at first base, Torres at second, Gio Urshela at shortstop and DJ LeMahieu at third base “is definitely something’’ Boone is considering down the stretch.

“We’ll see how it looks,’’ said Boone, in the interest of “doing everything we can to win these games.’’

Torres’ latest fielding error led to three unearned runs in Sunday night’s contentious, 7-6 loss to the Mets at Citi Field.

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In dropping the Subway Series and losing eight of their last nine games entering Monday’s makeup game against the Minnesota Twins, Boone’s club fell out of an AL wild card spot for the first time since Aug. 18.

On a bigger scale, switching Torres off shortstop now – with 19 regular-season games remaining – is finally an organizational admission that he might not be the future at the position.

And this isn’t the first time that Boone considered a switch, despite his generally rigorous defense of Torres’ defense and preparation at the position.

“(We) talked earlier in the season (and I) was considering it,’’ Boone said of the change.

After speaking earlier Monday with Torres, “he feels he’s ready to go (to second base),’’ Boone said. “Hopefully, that’s something that gives us the best look and sparks us a little bit.’’

Monday, Aaron Judge returned to the Yankees' lineup after experiencing dizziness Sunday night and being removed after his second at-bat.

Boone went with Luke Voit at first base (scheduled day of rest for Rizzo), Tyler Wade at shortstop and LeMahieu at third base.

It’s the first time LeMahieu has played that position in over a month, having exclusively played second base due to a right triceps issue that has since been alleviated.