The Yankees could use a lift. After getting swept by the Red Sox and watching their offense cool off, New York is turning to a familiar source of power: Giancarlo Stanton. The veteran slugger is expected to rejoin the lineup early this week. While that’s good news for a team trying to stay sharp in the AL playoff race, it also raises a question: What will happen to Ben Rice when Stanton returns?
Yankees Lead AL East, Slugger Back This Week
The New York Yankees continue to have one of the best records in baseball at 42-28. But things have been fragile lately, and Stanton’s return is crucial. He has been gradually recovering from shoulder ligament problems and has been working out at Yankee Stadium and facing live pitches on the Trajekt machine. According to manager Aaron Boone, Stanton should be back Monday or Tuesday, but the Yankees will likely not rush him.
Giancarlo Stanton is working out at Yankee Stadium today, facing the Angels’ pitching staff on the Trajekt machine. Aaron Boone said he expects Stanton to be in the lineup on Monday or Tuesday.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) June 15, 2025
That decision would not be just based on protecting Stanton’s health but also about managing the rhythm and confidence of a young player who’s earned his place. While Ben Rice isn’t the loudest name in the Yankees lineup, but he’s turned heads with his raw power and steady approach.
Through 38 games, he’s batting .227 with 12 home runs and 26 RBIs, numbers that don’t leap off the page but speak to his ability to make an impact. His .771 OPS puts him ahead of a good number of established hitters, and there’s a real sense around the clubhouse that Rice belongs.
So, no, this won’t be a case of “Rice disappears, Stanton returns.” Boone and the Yankees’ coaching staff know how critical it is to handle this with caution. Stanton, 35, has experienced his fair share of injuries. It would be problematic to assign him to daily duty at DH immediately. A careful, cautious launch is to be expected, with spot starts, off-days, and a gradual ramp-up to full strength.
This approach will allow New York considerable flexibility. If the circumstances demand it, Rice may still see some time in the field in addition to at-bats, particularly against right-handed pitching. The team will look to continue his development and will need everyone prepared for the rigors of a 162-game season.
The comeback represents yet another phase in Stanton’s career, which has seen its ups and downs in pinstripes. Few hitters, however, have the ability to alter a game like him. Rice’s goals for the upcoming stretch will likely be to remain prepared, demonstrate his consistency, and prove that he is more than a stopgap player.