BOSTON — Ben Rice Takes a Rare Day Off
After an unexpectedly tough night, Ben Rice enjoyed a day off on Friday. He was sidelined during the Yankees’ 6-1 defeat to the Red Sox, marking his first absence since May 7 due to a contusion on his left hand. He made a brief appearance late in the game as a pinch hitter, but didn’t manage to get on base.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted, “I think he needed a little break after his recent struggles.” This decision came after Rice went 0-for-5 the previous day, all against left-handed pitchers, with several opportunities to score.
Interestingly, this game against the Red Sox featured yet another left-hander, bringing the total to eight such pitchers the Yankees have faced in their last twelve games.
Strangely, Rice’s performance lately seems off for someone having such a standout season; over the last four games, he only managed 2 hits in 18 at-bats. Despite this, he still holds an impressive .956 OPS, putting him sixth among eligible hitters.
Boone expressed confidence, suggesting it might take Rice a few days to adjust after facing tough pitchers. “It’s just been a weird stretch,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenge of facing so many lefties in such a short time.
Updates on Judge and Stanton
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s presence at Fenway Park on Thursday didn’t indicate they were ready to return to play. It’s been nearly four weeks since Judge’s diagnosis of a stress fracture in his right rib, and the timeline for a possible follow-up exam remains uncertain. Boone mentioned, “He’s probably not at a point where that’s feasible yet.” There are, essentially, no immediate plans for re-imaging. Meanwhile, Stanton is progressing from a calf injury, and Boone mentioned he’s gradually getting stronger.
Boone feels their presence would significantly boost the team. “Just seeing them around is uplifting,” he commented. “You can’t underestimate what they mean for our lineup.”
Ali Sanchez and Team Dynamics
On Friday, Ali Sanchez returned from the paternity list but struggled at the plate, going 0-for-2 before being replaced by Austin Wells. Sanchez has had limited playing time but has shown promise with a .316 batting average and .802 OPS. Boone has expressed satisfaction with Sanchez’s contributions, emphasizing that he’s brought a valuable energy to the team.
“I really like what he’s brought as a catcher; he’s been good behind the plate and has fit in well with the team,” Boone remarked, appreciating the boost Sanchez has provided.
