Ben Rice
Breakdown
Performance
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May 8, 2026
Rejoins lineup Friday
Rice (hand) will start at first base and bat second in Friday's game versus the Brewers.
Analysis
Rice missed each of the last four contests while recovering from a left hand contusion, but he's ready to go Friday as the Yankees begin a road trip. The 27-year-old leads all of baseball with a 1.214 OPS this season.
May 7, 2026
Remains out of lineup Thursday
Rice (hand) is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rangers.
Analysis
The Yankees are facing a lefty in MacKenzie Gore, so it makes sense to give the left-handed-swinging Rice another day as he tries to overcome a left hand contusion. He'll aim to return to action Friday in Milwaukee. Paul Goldschmidt is getting another start at first base and will bat leadoff.
May 6, 2026
Idle for third straight game
Rice (hand) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis
Rice will be on the bench for the third game in a row after suffering a left hand contusion while attempting to a field a low pickoff throw during Sunday's 11-3 win over the Orioles. Per MLB.com, Rice had been slated to attempt to hit Tuesday as a test for his injured hand, but the Yankees haven't revealed how he fared during that workout. At this stage, Rice is seemingly being treated as day-to-day, with manager Aaron Boone telling Bryan Hoch of MLB.com that "it doesn't look like an IL" situation for the 27-year-old first baseman.
May 5, 2026
Remaining on bench Tuesday
Rice (hand) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis
It's the second straight absence for Rice after he was removed early from Sunday's game against the Orioles due to a left hand contusion, which he sustained on a low pickoff throw. The 26-year-old said Tuesday that his hand feels better after treatment, and he will try swinging a bat pregame, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports. Rice should be considered day-to-day while Paul Goldschmidt receives another start at first base.
May 4, 2026
Not starting in series finale
Rice (hand) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.
Analysis
The Yankees will keep Rice on the bench for the series finale after he was removed in the fourth inning of Sunday's 11-3 win due to a left hand contusion, which he sustained while fielding a low pickoff throw. Paul Goldschmidt will draw the start at first base in place of Rice, who told Meredith Marakovits of YES Network that he doesn't expect to do much Monday other than receiving treatment for the hand injury. With that in mind, expect the Yankees to steer away from using Rice as a pinch hitter.
May 3, 2026
Leaves early with hand contusion
The Yankees announced that Rice was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles due to a left hand contusion. He went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run prior to his departure.
Analysis
Paul Goldschmidt checked in for Rice at first base in the top of the fourth inning after Rice injured his hand while playing defense on a pickoff attempt an inning prior. X-rays on Rice's hand returned negative, but the bruise could still present enough pain to keep him from playing for a few days. The Yankees are listing Rice as day-to-day heading into Monday's series finale.
May 3, 2026
Suffers apparent injury
Rice was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles due to an apparent injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Analysis
Rice started the scoring Sunday with a first-inning solo home run and doubled and scored in the third, but he was replaced in the field for the top of the fourth frame. The 27-year-old is presumably dealing with an injury, but the Yankees have yet to provide an official announcement on his status.