Rice went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.
Rice has homered in back-to-back games as he continues to build his case for a spot on the club's Opening Day roster. He slotted in behind the dish Monday after serving as the designated hitter Sunday, putting his versatility on full display. Rice would likely get looks at first base, catcher and in the DH spot if he were to make the big-league club out of camp.
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Yankees' Ben Rice: Making strong case for roster spot
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Rice went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League win over Tampa Bay.
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) having no timeline for his return.
Rice went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League victory Friday.
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.
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 miss the start of the season.
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 clear-cut 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 regular-season plate appearances.
Yankees' Ben Rice: Getting exposure to catcher in camp
Rotowire
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.
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 their 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 an 11.6 percent rate.
Rice is not on the Yankees' roster for the ALCS versus the Guardians.
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.
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Yankees' Ben Rice: Recalled Sunday
Rotowire
Rice was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.
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.
The Yankees optioned Rice to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
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.
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Yankees' Ben Rice: Not starting Saturday
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Rice isn't in the Yankees' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.
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.
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Yankees' Ben Rice: Sitting against lefty again
Rotowire
Rice is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
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.
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