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As the New York Yankees prepare for Giancarlo Stanton’s return from the injured list, a new challenge has emerged: how to keep Ben Rice’s bat in the lineup when designated hitter and first base are already spoken for.

The answer may lie in an unexpected place — behind the plate.

According to manager Aaron Boone , Rice could start getting occasional looks at catcher as early as this week. It’s a surprising development given that Rice hasn’t appeared at the position all season, but not entirely out of the blue — he’s continued to do pre-game catching work throughout the year and spent most of his minor-league career as a catcher.

This shift could be key to keeping Rice involved in the everyday mix without disrupting the current lineup structure.

Why This Makes Sense for the Yankees

Rice, 26, has been one of the more pleasant surprises of the 2025 season. He’s slashed .240/.326/.495 with a 130 wRC+ across 57 games, showing both power and plate discipline.

But with Paul Goldschmidt firmly entrenched at first base and Stanton returning soon to reclaim the DH spot, opportunities for Rice were going to shrink.

Meanwhile, starting catcher Austin Wells has held his own offensively (.227/.294/.476 , 111 wRC+), but Rice brings a much bigger offensive upside.

Giving Rice even one or two starts per week behind the plate would allow him to remain a semi-regular contributor while giving Goldschmidt and Stanton regular days off without sacrificing production.

The Defensive Question

Of course, moving Rice back to catcher isn’t just about offense — it’s also about defense.

He was drafted as a catcher and played the majority of his minor-league games there, but hasn’t gotten any game action at the position this season.

There are risks: if he struggles defensively, the experiment could be short-lived.

Still, it’s worth trying, especially with veteran backup J.C. Escarra available to serve as a traditional safety net behind Wells.

Boone acknowledged the challenge, but sees this as an opportunity for Rice to show what he can do.

“It’s something we’re definitely exploring,” Boone said. “Ben’s shown he can hit. If he can hold his own behind the plate, that opens up a lot of possibilities.”

What This Means for the Future

While Rice is unlikely to overtake Wells as the full-time starter behind the plate this season, the long-term picture becomes more interesting.

Goldschmidt is set to become a free agent after 2025, and Rice could be a natural fit at first base in 2026 and beyond.

But for now, the focus is on maximizing his value in 2025 — and that might mean splitting time between DH, first base, and now, catcher.

It’s a creative solution to a real problem, and one that could pay off in a big way if Rice adapts quickly.

The Yankees have always valued versatility, and this potential move shows why.

By giving Ben Rice a shot at catcher, they’re finding a way to keep one of their hottest bats in the lineup despite positional logjams.

If the transition goes smoothly, it could be a win-win — for Rice, who gets more playing time, and for the Yankees, who get more flexibility.

The Cleveland Guardians vs Yankees Game Preview (33–27) and New York Yankees (37–23) square off in the rubber match of their three-game series at Yankee Stadium tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and will air on MLB Network .

The Yankees look to avoid a series sweep after dropping a surprising 4–0 decision to the Guardians last night. Let’s break down everything you need to know — from projected lineups and starting pitchers to betting odds and our best game predictions.

Series Recap: Guardians Lead 3–2 After Wednesday Upset
Cleveland came out swinging in the middle game of this set, riding strong pitching and timely hitting to take control of the series. Right-hander Luis Ortiz was lights-out for the Guardians, tossing 5⅔ scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts on just 92 pitches.

Behind him, the bullpen locked things down with 3⅓ innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits. Offensively, Jose Ramirez continued his dominance over Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt, while Daniel Schneemann went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

New York struggled mightily at the plate, managing just four singles and one double — all against a pitcher making his first start against them. The offense was led by Aaron Judge and Ben Rice , each collecting two hits, but big names like Jazz Chisholm Jr. struck out three times.

The Under continues to trend heavily for both teams — it’s gone 4–1 in Guardians’ last five games , and 8–1 in Yankees’ last nine home games .

Projected Starters: Cecconi vs. Fried

Tonight’s matchup features a pair of contrasting arms taking the hill.

RHP Slade Cecconi (1–1, 5.28 ERA) – Guardians
Last outing: 4⅓ IP, 5 ER, 7 H (3 HR), 3 BB, 3 K vs. Angels
Road stats: 1–1, 3.27 ERA in 11 IP
Career vs. Yankees: 1 relief appearance, 2⅔ IP, 1 ER
Cecconi has been inconsistent this season, showing flashes of brilliance but also struggling with command and hard contact. He gave up three homers in his last start, which is concerning facing a power-laden Yankees lineup.

• LHP Max Fried (7–1, 1.92 ERA) – Yankees
• Last outing: 5 IP, 6 ER, 8 H (2 HR), 0 BB, 3 K vs. Dodgers
• Home stats: 3–0, 1.69 ERA in 37⅓ IP
• Career vs. Guardians: 1 start, 6⅓ IP, 2 ER

Fried had an uncharacteristically rough outing last time out, giving up eight hits and six runs. However, he’s been dominant at home and should benefit from the short porch at Yankee Stadium — especially if he can keep the ball low and limit walks.

Game Prediction: Yankees 6, Guardians 1

Despite the Yankees’ loss last night, this feels like a bounce-back spot for Max Fried. While his most recent outing wasn’t great, that was on the road in Dodger Stadium — a tough environment for any pitcher.

At home, Fried has been nearly unhittable, posting a 1.69 ERA over 37⅓ innings. The Guardians are coming off a high-energy win, but tonight could be a letdown — especially against a team like New York that doesn’t like to lose back-to-back at home.

Cecconi has shown promise, but he’s still young and prone to mistakes. If he leaves the ball up early, expect the Yankees to capitalize.

Top Bets for Tonight

Yankees -1.5 (-130)

Better value than the moneyline, and Fried is due for a rebound.

Under 8.5 (-115)

Both starters have been stingy with runs, and the Under has crushed at Yankee Stadium this season.

This series has been competitive, but the Yankees have too much firepower to stay down for long. With Fried on the mound and the Guardians likely to cool off offensively, expect a bounce-back performance from New York.

The Los Angeles Dodgers just wrapped up a high-profile weekend series against the Mookie Betts and the Dodgers New York Yankees — and while they took two out of three games, one key player was noticeably missing from the lineup: Mookie Betts.

So what’s next for the eight-time All-Star and his role in the team moving forward?

Dodgers Win Without Betts, But Eyes Turn to His Return
Los Angeles managed to hold its own without Betts during the weekend showdown with the Yankees. The team came away with a strong 2-1 series win, proving their depth can carry them even when top talent is sidelined.

Still, fans are eager to see Betts back on the field. Manager Dave Roberts recently gave an update on the star outfielder’s condition, offering some encouraging signs.

According to Dodgers beat reporter Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register , Betts swung the bat in the batting cage before Sunday’s game — and did so without any restrictions.

“He did hit and he wasn’t compromised at all swinging the bat,” Roberts said.

That’s good news for a team that relies heavily on Betts’ leadership and production both offensively and defensively.

Day-to-Day Recovery, But Signs of Progress

Betts has been day-to-day since suffering a fractured toe earlier this month. He last appeared in a game on May 28 against the Cleveland Guardians and went just 2-for-14 across those contests.

Despite the lack of offensive fireworks, his presence alone gives the Dodgers a major boost.

Roberts shared that the team plans to reevaluate Betts on Tuesday, giving him another chance to prove he’s ready to return. In the meantime, Hyeseong Kim got the nod at shortstop Monday as the Mets rolled into Chavez Ravine.

While Miguel Rojas handled shortstop duties over the weekend, the plan seems to be shifting as the club braces for Betts’ potential comeback.

Did Betts Hint at a Return Soon?

There’s also been buzz around a possible return timeline. According to USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale, Betts himself hinted that he’s close to being back.

“Mookie Betts says he’s feeling better and expects to be back in the Dodgers lineup in the next couple of days,” Nightengale posted on X (formerly Twitter) Sunday.

Plunkett added that Betts’ foot has improved enough that he could now wear a shoe over it — a small but important step in his recovery process.

With June just around the corner, fans are hopeful that Betts will be back in uniform sooner rather than later.

What This Means for the Dodgers Going Forward
Losing a player like Betts for even a few days can disrupt a team’s rhythm. But the way the Dodgers have handled this stretch shows they’re built to weather short-term injuries.

Still, having Betts back will give the lineup a significant jolt. His ability to impact games with his bat, glove, and leadership makes him irreplaceable in the long run.

As the schedule heats up and the season moves toward its halfway point, getting Mookie Betts fully back in action will be a priority for Roberts and the front office.

It’s been a season of surprises at Yankee Stadium — and not all of them are easy to swallow. One of the most respected names on the roster, Paul Goldschmidt, may be nearing the end of his short but impactful stay in pinstripes.

Signed last offseason as a major boost to the lineup, Goldschmidt quickly proved he still had it — hitting an impressive .339 through the early part of the 2025 season. But despite his performance, there’s growing speculation that this could be his final year in New York.

Why Goldschmidt Might Be Playing His Last Season With the Yankees

At 37 years old, Goldschmidt has defied age-related decline with a strong offensive and defensive showing. He signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal with the Yankees, banking on a bounce-back year — and he’s delivered.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently noted that while Goldschmidt has earned respect across the league, the Yankees may not bring him back in 2026 due to the emergence of young first baseman Ben Rice.

Goldschmidt’s production — both at the plate and in the field — has been solid, but the writing might already be on the wall. The front office seems ready to make the switch.

Enter Ben Rice: The Future at First Base

Ben Rice, the Yankees’ 25-year-old prospect, isn’t lighting up the stat sheet just yet. Through 43 games, he’s batting just .252, which pales in comparison to Goldschmidt’s numbers. However, what stands out is his fielding — zero errors over 53 innings and 41 putouts in 46 chances.

He’s raw, yes — but the potential is clear. And the Yankees know it.

With Goldschmidt aging and Rice rising, the decision becomes less about stats and more about long-term planning. The team wants to build around youth, and Rice fits that vision better than a veteran on a short-term deal.

What This Means for Goldschmidt

Despite the uncertainty, Goldschmidt hasn’t shown signs of slowing down. If anything, he’s proving that he can still play at a high level — and plenty of teams will likely come calling if he hits free agency again next winter.

For now, though, he remains focused on the season.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Goldschmidt said earlier this week. “I love being here. But I also know how this game works.”

Yankees GM Brian Cashman echoed that sentiment in a recent interview with the New York Post , praising Goldschmidt’s impact and the overall chemistry of the team.

“We’re certainly happy with the way this team is coming together,” Cashman said. “They’re grinding on a daily basis. We’ve got a long way to go.”

But even he didn’t hint at a return for Goldschmidt beyond this season.

The End of a Short Chapter?

While Goldschmidt’s time in New York may be brief, it won’t be forgotten. Fans have embraced his leadership and clutch performances, especially during key matchups.

If 2025 turns out to be his only season in pinstripes, it’ll still be remembered as a smart gamble by the front office — and a fitting final act for one of baseball’s most respected players.

The Blue Jays had a tough Sunday, losing both games of the doubleheader to the division leading New York Yankees. But what happened after the game was even more chaotic for the struggling team. Pitcher Kevin Gausman, one of the Blue Jays top arms, had a rough day that ended with his ejection—and a pretty embarrassing misstep.

A Day Gone Wrong: The Blue Jays’ Doubleheader Woes

It wasn’t just another loss for the Blue Jays—it was a series of unfortunate events. In two games they scored only 3 runs combined and are now 13-15 on the season. The Yankees are 17-11 and lead the American League East by 4 games.

For Kevin Gausman it was arguably his worst outing of the year. 2.2 innings, 6 earned runs, 5 walks. His ERA went from 3.16 to 4.50. For a guy known for being consistent this was uncharacteristic and clearly frustrating.

Kevin Gausman says he’s fine after a bit of a slip on the dugout steps following his ejection:

“As I was coming off the mound, I kind of let him know I was going to watch his bad umpiring inside… Didn’t see the stairs.” #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) April 27, 2025

Gausman’s Heated Exchange with the Umpire

Things got worse when Gausman was ejected in the second game. As he was leaving the mound after the inning he was pulled he exchanged words with home-plate umpire Chris Conroy. According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Gausman told reporters after the game he wasn’t exactly subtle.

“As I was coming off the mound, I let him know I was going to watch his bad umpiring inside,” Gausman said. “Didn’t see the stairs.”

That last part? He tripped and fell down the dugout stairs as he was heading back after being ejected—an awkward moment that was caught on camera and is already online.

This is only the 3rd ejection of Gausman’s 13 year career. So yeah, it’s not common for him to lose his cool. But given the circumstances, I get it.

Manager John Schneider Joins the Fray

Gausman wasn’t the only one tossed. Manager John Schneider was ejected later in the game after arguing a call on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s at-bat. Schneider’s tantrum showed the growing frustration in the Blue Jays dugout as calls were going against them all day.

Between Gausman’s meltdown, Schneider’s ejection and the overall stinkiness of the game, it was clear tempers were short in the Bronx.

Did Gausman Go Too Far?

While yelling at an umpire is part of the game, Gausman’s words raised questions if he went too far. By calling out Conroy’s officiating, he risked making things worse—especially since MLB is cracking down on player-umpire incidents lately.

On the other hand, Gausman was honest postgame. He didn’t try to sugarcoat or make excuses. He owned up to his mistake and maybe hoping to move on from it.

What This Means Going Forward?

For the Blue Jays, this loss and the drama that came with it comes at a bad time. With the Yankees pulling ahead in the division, Toronto needs to regroup fast. Gausman’s struggles on the mound adds another layer of concern since the team relies on the rotation to stay in the game.

As for Gausman himself, this is a reminder to keep his cool even when he’s losing his mind. While the fall down the stairs might be funny, the underlying issues are serious.