Overview
- The Yankees designated Rice as their full-time first baseman after a spring spent playing the position exclusively.
- Early games showed cleaner defense, including tough scoops and a 3-6-1 double play that drew praise from Aaron Boone.
- Aaron Judge credited Rice’s heavy offseason work for the smoother play at first base.
- In a key test against a left-handed reliever, Aaron Boone let Rice hit and he delivered a 105.2 mph single, though Paul Goldschmidt will still start at times versus lefties.
- New York is preserving Rice’s catching option as Anthony Volpe’s return could squeeze the bench and send backup J. C. Escarra to Triple-A, with Rice’s 131 OPS+ last year underscoring why his bat stays in the lineup.