Yankees make Ben Rice decision as Giancarlo Stanton return looms

The New York Yankees are about to get Giancarlo Stanton back, but it could create problems for Ben Rices’ spot in the lineup. The Yankees will need to get creative to keep him in the lineup.

Rice has served as the primary designated hitter in Stanton’s absence. However, Stanton is playing in his second rehab game on Wednesday. He went 2-for-3 in his first game, and there’s a chance he joins the Yankees on Friday against the Boston Red Sox. When that happens Rice will lose his designated hitter spot. Rice is hitting .240 but has an .820 OPS and 12 home runs.

Rice can play first base and catcher, but him seeing time at first base is unlikely. Paul Goldschmidt has been great this year, and the Yankees are not going to bench him. Rice has made a few appearances at catcher this year, but has not made a start there as a big leaguer. However, Aaron Boone revealed that he could get some starts behind the plate when Stanton returns, according to YES’ Jack Curry.

“Ben Rice hasn’t started a game at catcher this season,” Curry revealed on X. “But, with Giancarlo Stanton’s return looming, Aaron Boone said Rice could start some games behind the dish. Stay tuned.”

Austin Wells has been the team’s primary catcher, hitting .227. He has 11 home runs this year, but Rice has been the better player. The Yankees will need to find ways to get Rice, Goldschmidt and Stanton in the lineup together, but their positional constrainbts make it difficult.

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Rice can only play first base and catcher. Goldschmidt has only played first base in his long career. Stanton can no longer play in the field. Catcher is the only spot where there is no overlap. Boone also noted that Rice’s work in his few appearnaces behind the plate and his pregame work are encouraging, according to the New York Post’s Greg Joyce.

“Rice has been limited to only some late-game action in blowouts as a big leaguer, but Boone praised his work in those games and all his pregame work daily,” Joyce wrote on X.

Having Rice play more catcher is a bold decision for the Yankees as he has never made a major league start there. However, it may be the only way to ensure he stays in the lineup. Even if they give him some starts behind the plate, they will need to line up off days for Goldschmidt and Stanton so all three are consistently playing.