Ben Rice - Page 22 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Making strong case for roster spot Rice went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League win over Tampa Bay.

Impact Rice batted leadoff in the spring game and played the entire contest at DH. His big hit was a two-run blast to left-center field in the fourth inning. That marked the second homer in three days for Rice, and he has five hits during that span. The 26-year-old is competing for a spot on the Yankees' Opening Day roster as the backup first baseman behind Paul Goldschmidt, and he could also log significant time at DH with Giancarlo Stanton (elbows/calf) expected to miss significant time.

MARCH 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees May Have Found Unlikely Replacement for Injured $325 Million Star The Yankees could turn to Ben Rice as a replacement for the injured Giancarlo Stanton.

MARCH 16, 2025 • KANSASCITY.COM

Belts second spring long ball Rice went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League victory Friday.

Impact Rice's long ball was a 405-foot shot to right-center field in the first inning. It was the 26-year-old's second homer this spring, and he's added four RBI along with a .212/.278/.394 lash line. Rice is competing for an Opening Day roster spot as a backup to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned last week that Rice could also see time at DH if he makes the roster since Giancarlo Stanton (elbows/calf) isn't going to ready for Opening Day and could miss an extended period.

MARCH 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Catcher? First base? DH? Rice ready to go wherever Yanks need him TAMPA, Fla. -- Ben Rice was drafted as a catcher, made it to the big leagues as a first baseman and might see time this season as a designat...

MARCH 15, 2025 • MLB.COM

Option to see time at DH During an in-game interview on YES Network on Thursday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned Rice as a candidate to log at-bats at DH with Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) slated to mis...

Impact Boone indicated that Aaron Judge won't necessarily be the team's primary DH while Stanton is on the shelf, opening the door for Rice, among others, to log at-bats at the position. Rice isn't guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, but his ability to play both first base and catcher works in his favor, as New York doesn't have a certain, healthy backup at either position. Rice was up-and-down in his first taste of the majors last season, slashing .171/.264/.349 with seven home runs and 23 RBI over 178 plate appearances.

MARCH 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elly De La Cruz Was Absolutely Delighted When Ben Rice Surprised Him With Perfect Spanish Yankees first baseman Ben Rice hilariously recalls surprising Reds' Elly De La Cruz with his ability to speak Spanish.

MARCH 4, 2025 • SI.COM

Yankees slugger recounts how he surprised Elly De La Cruz with unexpected move New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice was all fun recounting his memories on the baseball field, especially once when he talked with Elly De La...

MARCH 4, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Aaron Judge's teammate Ben Rice reacts to Spencer Jones' sentimental take on Yankees first baseman Spencer Jones and Ben Rice were Double-A Somerset teammates until Rice rose through the ranks all the way to join the Aaron Judge-led New Yo...

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Getting exposure to catcher in camp Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will work out with the team's catchers in camp in addition to taking reps at first base, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Impact Rice has nearly 1,000 innings of catching experience under his belt in the minors, but his defense behind the plate likely isn't strong enough for him to profile as anything more than a backup option at the position in the majors. Still, if Rice can acquit himself well in his catching opportunities during the spring, it could be his ticket to a spot on the Opening Day roster, as the Yankees already have Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton locked in as regulars at first base and designated hitter, respectively. Meanwhile, Austin Wells appears secure as the Yankees' No. 1 catcher, but J.C. Escarra and Jesus Rodriguez -- neither of whom has made his MLB debut -- are the only other backstops on the 40-man roster. Rice hit just .171 and struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances in his first taste of the majors last season, but he flashed power (seven home runs, six doubles) and drew walks at a 11.6 percent rate.

FEBRUARY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Left off ALCS roster Rice is not on the Yankees' roster for the ALCS versus the Guardians.

Impact Rice didn't see any action during the ALDS. With Anthony Rizzo (fingers) being cleared to return, the rookie first baseman became an obvious option to lose his roster spot.

OCTOBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

With Rizzo down, Rice staying ready ahead of potential ALDS nod NEW YORK -- Ben Rice was at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa, Fla., earlier this week, participating in what he called the “stay ready” group,...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • MLB.COM

Judge scratched by Yankees from soggy regular-season finale, Rice brought up after Rizzo hurt

Yankees star Aaron Judge was scratched from the starting lineup from a rain-delayed regular-season finale against Pittsburgh, and first baseman Ben Rice was recalled from Triple-A...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • Associated Press

Recalled Sunday Rice was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Impact The lefty-hitting Rice draws the start at first base and will bat eighth against lefty Bailey Falter and the Pirates. Anthony Rizzo is hoping to be available in the postseason despite suffering a fractured finger Saturday, but Rice could be an injury replacement if Rizzo is unavailable.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Yankees optioned Rice to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Impact Rice quickly cooled down after a hot start to his MLB career, putting up a .174/.269/.356 slash line across 175 plate appearances for the Yankees. With Anthony Rizzo (forearm) expected to return from the injured list Sunday, the 25-year-old Rice will now give up his roster spot and head back to Triple-A, where he can continue to receive regular reps at first base and behind the dish.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to Triple-A The Yankees optioned Rice to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.

Impact Rice quickly cooled down after a hot start to his MLB career, putting up a .174/.269/.356 slash line across 175 plate appearances for the Yankees. With Anthony Rizzo (forearm) expected to return from the 60-day injured list Sunday, the 25-year-old Rice will now give up his roster spot and head back to Triple-A, where he can continue to receive regular reps at first base.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Rice isn't in the Yankees' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Impact Rice went 0-for-3 in Friday's series opener after missing four consecutive games, and he'll take a seat again Saturday even though the right-handed Kyle Gibson will start on the hill for St. Louis. Oswaldo Cabrera will fill in as New York's first baseman and bat ninth.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty again Rice is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Impact Rice will remain on the bench for the fourth consecutive game, with the Yankees facing left-handed starters in each of those contests. Platoon mate DJ LeMahieu will once again spell Rice at first base.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against lefty Rice is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Impact The lefty-hitting Rice will head to the bench for the second day in a row while the Yankees face lefty starting pitchers in consecutive games. DJ LeMahieu will draw the start at first base against Nationals southpaw Mitchell Parker.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat against southpaw Rice is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Impact The lefty-hitting Rice has been included in the starting nine for the Yankees' last two matchups with left-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench Sunday against Rockies southpaw Austin Gomber with platoon mate DJ LeMahieu (face) ready to return to the lineup. LeMahieu had been scheduled to start at first base Friday against Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland but was scratched as a precaution after he was hit in the face by a ball during pregame warmups.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Late addition Friday Rice will play first base and bat ninth Friday against Colorado after DJ LeMahieu (face) was scratched from the lineup, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Impact The lefty-hitting Rice was left off the Yankees' initial starting nine against southpaw Kyle Freeland and the Rockies. However, after LeMahieu got hit in the face by a ball during pregame warmups, Rice was inserted into the lineup.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Actually starting Friday Rice will play first base and bat ninth Friday against Colorado after DJ LeMahieu (face) was scratched from the lineup, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against left-hander Rice is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rockies, Max Goodman of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Impact As usual, Rice will yield to DJ LeMahieu at first base against a lefty (Kyle Freeland). Rice enters the weekend series having registered just one hit so far in August.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not facing LHP Rice is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Guardians.

Impact Rice will dodge a same-hand matchup with lefty Matthew Boyd on Tuesday, giving way to DJ Lemahieu at first base. Rice has one hit in 19 at-bats during August but has almost the same number of walks (4) as strikeouts (5) and has scored four runs.

AUGUST 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench vs. southpaw Rice is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Rice has just one hit through seven games in August and will head to the bench Sunday as lefty Tarik Skubal takes the mound for Detroit. DJ LeMahieu is starting at first base and batting eighth.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Wednesday Rice isn't in the Yankees' lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Impact After going 0-for-5 with a strikeout through the first two games of the series, Rice will get a day off during Wednesday's series finale. DJ LeMahieu will step in to cover first base while batting ninth.

AUGUST 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Judge scratched by Yankees from soggy regular-season finale, Rice brought up after Rizzo hurt