KANSAS CITY, Mo.
Ben Rice played the last two innings in Tuesday’s lopsided win against the Royals, a situation he’s somewhat familiar with. But, more recently, he’s also been carving out some time as a starting catcher.
Manager Aaron Boone hinted at the possibility for Rice to see more action, especially with the prospect of Giancarlo Stanton returning from the injured list. The Yankees are looking at ways to balance their lineup around Stanton’s return.
Rice’s major league experience is limited to just 7²/₃ innings, mainly filling in at first base or DH due to injuries on the team. Still, his performance at the plate keeps pushing him into the mix. Having developed his skills in the minor leagues, he’s been working closely with catching coach Tanner Swanson to stay sharp.
Austin Wells typically handles the bulk of catching duties, but Rice is ready to step in, much like J.C. Eskara has done during the season. Boone refers to their balancing act as a “challenge,” but believes it’s manageable.
“Benny is a capable hitter, and he’s made it clear he can catch too,” Boone remarked, praising Rice’s performance during his recent innings. “He’s a skilled catcher, showing promise throughout his minor league career. Even if it’s just a few innings here and there, it’s impressive.”
Meanwhile, Stanton had a brief stint back on the field, going 1-1 in his second rehab game, although it’s looking unlikely that he’ll play Thursday. When he’s back, he’ll likely take over the DH role, allowing Rice to rotate among DH, first base, and catcher.
Despite Rice’s constant effort to maintain his defensive prowess, he acknowledges that there’s really no perfect way to replicate the experience of catching full games. “Eventually, we’ll get him back there, but the tough part is getting him to handle games that stretch over six, seven, or even nine innings,” Boone noted.
In other news, Luke Weaver had a bullpen session at Kaufman Stadium, feeling good after recovering from a hamstring issue. He expressed confidence, stating he felt “great,” with no discomfort reported.
Boone mentioned they are taking a cautious approach, listening to how Weaver’s body responds post-rehab. “Things look better than we initially thought,” he added.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned to the lineup after a scare when he collided with Maikel Garcia, but Boone played down any concerns about Chisholm’s neck issues, emphasizing the competitive nature of the play. Chisholm ended up leaving Wednesday’s game due to tension in his leg.
Lastly, MRI results showed Jake Cousins is dealing with UCL injuries, and he’s currently seeking multiple opinions to determine the best course of action moving forward.
