Yanks' Torres avoids IL stint after tests negative

BALTIMORE -- The New York Yankees have taken a wait-and-see approach to infielder Gleyber Torres' perplexing core injury.

Torres went to a hospital on Sunday to be treated for a core issue. He received treatment and medication, proclaimed himself to be fine and served as New York's designated hitter Monday against the Orioles.

He started at second base on Tuesday, but was removed in the third inning with what the team described as "core pain."

Torres underwent a battery of tests on Wednesday in New York, and the results were positive enough to keep him off the injured list.

"Everything checked out OK," manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. "They tested him again for sports hernias and strains, and everything turned out to be negative. So we look at him to be day to day."

Boone expected Torres to join the team late Wednesday before the Yankees headed to Toronto.

"He's upbeat and he feels good," Boone said.

Minor league infielder Thairo Estrada was in the New York clubhouse, likely in case Torres was placed on the IL.

"We'll see where we are each day," Boone said. "If he isn't better and we decide we need the extra spot, then we'll do something."

The manager said he would be careful how to use Torres, likely having him serve as a designated hitter before putting him back into the field on a regular basis.

"We won't send them out there if he is in any amount of pain," Boone said. "As of right now, we're planning on moving forward."

Torres, 22, made the American League All-Star team in July for the second time in two years. He's batting .281 with 23 homers and 62 RBIs.