New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice appears to have dodged a bullet after a painful elbow scare during Saturday’s game, but his status for Monday’s clash against the Cleveland Guardians remains uncertain. Rice, struck by a slider on his left elbow, underwent X-rays and a CT scan that revealed no fractures—a sigh of relief for the Yankees’ lineup. While the rookie avoided serious injury, lingering stiffness and swelling have kept him sidelined, forcing manager Aaron Boone to shuffle his batting order as the team eyes a critical AL Central showdown.
Ben Rice Injury Update: Yankees optimistic for Cleveland series
The incident occurred during a tense at-bat on Saturday, when a wayward pitch drilled Rice’s back elbow, leaving him visibly shaken. Initial fears of structural damage subsided after scans cleared him of fractures, but soreness and swelling persisted into Sunday. “He’s quite a bit better today,” Boone said pregame, noting Ben Rice’s improved spirits.
“The X-rays put his mind at ease, but he’s still stiff. We’ll see how he progresses.”
Rice, who described himself as “day-to-day,” underwent intensive treatment Sunday to reduce inflammation. Though Boone opted to rest him for the series finale against Tampa Bay, the manager hinted at a possible return in Cleveland. “Hopefully, it’s not too long,” Boone added, leaving the door ajar for Rice’s inclusion in Monday’s lineup.
Lineup adjustments in Rice’s absence
With Ben Rice sidelined, Boone slid Aaron Judge into the DH role and deployed Trent Grisham in center field. Grisham, riding a recent hot streak, led off against Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot—a temporary fix that underscores the Yankees’ reliance on versatility. Judge’s move to DH also spared his legs defensively, a calculated gamble to preserve his power bat.
Rice’s absence tests the Yankees’ depth. The 25-year-old has been a steady contributor since his call-up, blending patience at the plate (.345 OBP) with timely hitting. His potential return in Cleveland would bolster a lineup facing Guardians ace Shane Bieber, who’s dominated right-handed hitters this season.
The Yankees’ medical staff will monitor Rice’s elbow overnight, with a game-time decision likely. If cleared, he could DH or slot into the lower order to minimize throwing strain. If not, expect Grisham or Oswaldo Cabrera to retain their roles, with Judge remaining as DH to keep his bat active.
For now, the Yankees breathe cautiously. Ben Rice’s health is a microcosm of their season—promising yet fragile. As Boone put it: “We’re smiling because it’s not worse, but we’re not rushing.”