For much of this season’s first half, an injury to Giancarlo Stanton meant that Rice could find regular at-bats as the Yankees’ designated hitter. When Stanton returned in mid-June, Rice had to be ready to go with the glove on nights when manager Aaron Boone wanted both sluggers in the lineup. Although Rice was primarily a catcher in the Minors, he has seen most of his playing time in the big leagues at first, accounting for 67 of his first 80 career games in the field. (Photo Credit: New York Yankees)

When Will Warren delivered the first pitch of a June 27 home matchup against the Athletics, it was not Austin Wells on the receiving end. Nor was it the Yankees’ usual reserve catcher, J.C. Escarra. On this day, it was Ben Rice occupying the No. 2 position.

It was not the first time that

See Full Page