The New York Yankees organization has no current intention of transitioning infielder Ben Rice to a catching position, despite a potential future logjam at first base and designated hitter. A top team official communicated to The Post that the focus remains on utilizing Rice as a vital offensive piece, rather than exposing him to the physical risks associated with catching at this stage.
This decision comes amid considerations of roster depth. If all players, including Luis García Jr., Paul Goldschmidt, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Judge, were healthy simultaneously, the team would face a situation where only two of them could play first base or designated hitter. Rice, who previously caught in 36 games last year and continued his work behind the plate during spring training, is seen as too valuable offensively to move back to catcher.
The Yankees recently acquired Luis García Jr. from the Washington Nationals. The anticipated lineup configuration, assuming full positional health, suggests Rice would play daily at either first base or designated hitter. García is expected to play first or DH against right-handed pitchers, where he has demonstrated a .918 OPS, while Goldschmidt would be utilized against left-handed pitchers, against whom he boasts a .988 OPS.