Aaron Boone's latest Spring Training update on Ben Rice will confuse Yankees fans

With J.C. Escarra as the leading man to open the season as the New York Yankees backup catcher, where does Ben Rice fit into the mix? 

"Aaron Boone said, 'I don’t know,' when asked whether Ben Rice will catch any games this spring," The Athletic's Brendan Kuty wrote Tuesday. "The Yankees are counting on Rice to be their everyday first baseman — the first time he’s ever spent the majority of his focus on the position." 

New York also re-signed Paul Goldschmidt, primarily to be a late-inning defensive replacement and face tough left-handed pitching. Kuty spoke with Boone recently about the work Rice is putting in behind the scenes: 

"He’s caught bullpen sessions for Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler, but Boone said the Yankees want to 'prioritize him getting his reps and his work at first base.'" 

Why Rice should make appearances behind the plate this spring 

There's always the scenario in which Escarra and or Wells suffer an injury and need an extended absence on the shelf. It would then likely be in Rice's best interest to have recently caught live pitching and get acclimated with new pitchers on the staff. 

If the Yankees' primary goal is to have Rice get more at-bats against lefties this season, perhaps that's another reason he should be getting in-game reps behind the plate. Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger can fill in at first base, which gives Boone better flexibility with lineups. 

But, oddly, the manager of the AL East club is unwilling to commit to a decision with Rice's future behind the plate. Time will tell. 

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