Yankees' Aaron Boone Mum Ben Rice Possibly Replacing Austin Wells
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The New York Yankees have scored the eighth-fewest runs in baseball this month. Their offense could use a spark, and a change at catcher could help them.
Since the start of June, Austin Wells has a .205 batting average and has played in 44 games. He has been the Yankees' primary catcher, but Ben Rice has also seen some time, albeit limited, behind the plate.
Rice caught in the Yankees' 6-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night. He went 2-for-4 with a home run. Boone was asked about possibly getting Rice more opportunities behind the plate, but he refused to go into detail.
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 22: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees celebrates at the plate with Austin Wells #28 as he hits a solo-home run in the ninth inning of their MLB game...
TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 22: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees celebrates at the plate with Austin Wells #28 as he hits a solo-home run in the ninth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 22, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada More"I don't know. We'll see," Boone said, per The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.
Rice has been a better hitter than Wells, but has been the victim of the Yankees' positional logjams. Paul Goldschmidt occupies first base, Wells has been the catcher and the designated hitter spot belongs to Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Judge for the time being.
Next season, Rice figures to be the everyday first baseman, but right now the Yankees need to find ways to keep him in the lineup. The easiest way to do that would be to allow him to catch. The team is not going to keep Stanton, Judge or Goldschmidt out of the lineup, so Wells' spot is the only realistic spot up for discussion.
Wells has shown little improvement at the plate, and the Yankees are running out of time to get their season back on track.
More MLB: Yankees' Aaron Boone Makes Devin Williams Decision Amid Struggles
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