This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK -- The mask, chest protector and shin guards sat in Ben Rice ’s locker like a promise waiting to be kept, even as his early-season role leaned toward first base and designated hitter.

Hours before most Yankees games, Rice could be found strapping on the gear and heading to the bullpen, squatting for side sessions to keep his receiving sharp -- just in case.

That extra work is paying off. With Austin Wells slumping and the lineup more crowded by the return of a healthy Giancarlo Stanton, Rice has seized an opportunity to show he can be a capable big league backstop.

“It means a lot,” Rice said. “Every start back t

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