As fans have been continuously wondering why New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone hasn’t put Ben Rice in the catching rotation, it seems that it will be a constant talking point all season. With Rice in the midst of a monster season for the Yankees, Boone would once again negate any notion that the young star will take catching duties at the current moment.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Boone would say that “catching isn’t in the plans right now” for Rice, especially since the 27-year-old hasn’t done any sessions in the bullpen or during pre-game since having a hand injury, via Gary Phillips.
“Aaron Boone, again, reiterated that Ben Rice catching isn’t in the plans right now. Rice hasn’t caught any bullpens or done pregame catching work since his hand injury, which is no longer an issue,” Phillips wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Yankees’ Aaron Boone speaks more on Ben Rice not catching
This wouldn’t be the first time that Boone spoke about Rice catching, as the player currently has a .291 batting average to go along with 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. Boone would say that Rice is “definitely capable of catching,” as he would reflect on the lack of usage in spring training and the aforementioned hand injury as deterrents.
“Part of it was in spring training, we just couldn’t do it with some of the workload, and like he was just getting kind of run down going back and forth…even though he was doing catching drills and catching work,” Boone said, via The New York Post.
“But we also were prioritizing getting him ready for the season, and being obviously a key cog in our offense,” Boone continued. “And then he had the palm, where he got hit, probably three, four weeks ago, maybe a month ago, that cost him a few games…not to say it’s out of the realm now, but it would take a little bit of time to make that transition.”
Why haven't we seen Ben Rice at catcher yet this season? Aaron Boone says his palm injury that cost him a few games at the beginning of May has something to do with it.
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It remains to be seen if Rice plays catcher throughout this season for New York, as he looks to continue his impressive season.
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