Ben Rice’s potential transition to catcher for the New York Yankees remains uncertain as the team prioritizes his current success at first base and DH, where he boasts a .998 OPS and leads the team with 19 home runs. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the temptation to utilize Rice behind the plate but emphasized the risk of injury and wear that could impact his offensive performance. With Giancarlo Stanton’s recent setback, there may be more opportunities for Rice in the lineup, but internal solutions will likely be considered before any trade moves. As fan voting for the All-Star game progresses, Rice trails behind in the first base category, while Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger lead their positions.


