Yankees Start Ben Rice at Catcher Amid Lineup Adjustments

With Giancarlo Stanton's return to the New York Yankees lineup as the designated hitter, the team has had to adjust how they use Ben Rice to keep his bat in the lineup. Rice, who primarily played catcher in the minors but has limited MLB experience behind the plate, is making his first career start at catcher, a calculated move by the Yankees to find him playing time beyond designated hitter and first base. While Austin Wells remains the everyday catcher and J.C. Escarra serves as a strong backup, the Yankees see potential in Rice's catching ability and believe he could add value if given regular reps. However, with Wells and Escarra playing well defensively, the team has also considered using Rice as a first baseman to back up Paul Goldschmidt, especially considering a possible platoon situation based on opposing pitchers. This flexibility in Rice's role is part of the Yankees' broader strategy to maximize lineup potency while managing roster depth with Stanton's presence. Manager Aaron Boone is expected to continue experimenting with Rice's position to determine the best fit for maintaining offensive production and defensive stability.