Yankees Plan Ben Rice Catcher Role Ahead Stanton Return

The New York Yankees are preparing for the return of Giancarlo Stanton, who could rejoin the lineup as soon as this weekend at Fenway Park, according to manager Aaron Boone. Stanton has been performing well in rehab games, but the team remains cautious about his readiness and will make a final decision after evaluating his consecutive starts. With Stanton's return imminent, the Yankees face a challenge in keeping versatile hitter Ben Rice in the lineup, as Rice has primarily served as designated hitter but could see starts at catcher, a position he played in the minors and has been training for daily. Austin Wells remains the primary catcher, but Rice's superior bat and defensive skills behind the plate have Boone considering giving him some starts to balance the lineup alongside Stanton and Paul Goldschmidt, who plays first base. Boone praised Rice's defensive work during late-game appearances and pregame sessions, highlighting his potential to contribute more significantly once Stanton returns. The Yankees are strategizing how to maximize the roles of Stanton, Rice, and Goldschmidt to maintain offensive production while managing positional constraints.