Overview

• Giancarlo Stanton is closing out his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset and could rejoin the Yankees for their weekend series in Boston.
• Aaron Boone has indicated he may start Ben Rice at catcher to integrate Stanton without weakening the lineup’s depth.
• Rice has delivered an .802 OPS with 24 extra-base hits and 26 RBI in 59 games as a DH and first baseman, prompting his potential shift behind the plate.
• J.C. Escarra is expected to remain the primary backup catcher, preserving roster balance as roles are realigned.
• The club plans to adjust its 26-man roster through internal position changes rather than pursuing external trades before Stanton’s activation.