Yankees make decision on Ben Rice position change with Giancarlo Stanton returning

The New York Yankees face a problem when Giancarlo Stanton makes his return from the injured list. They will have to figure out what to do with Ben Rice.

Rice, 26, had just a .174 batting average, along with seven home runs, in 50 games last season. However, this year he is hitting .260 with nine home runs already. He has earned an everyday role, but his designated hitter spot is about to be taken away. Stanton could return to the lineup later this month, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo, and he would take the designated hitter spot.

"One day after he took live batting practice, a significant step in his return from the injured list, New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton confirmed Wednesday he could return to the team's lineup by the end of the month," wrote Castillo. "Stanton participated in batting practice on the field at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, the first time he has seen live pitching this year after he was shut down with elbow tendinitis in both arms at the beginning of spring training."

Rice has the ability to play catcher or first base, but Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells seem to have their spots secured. With Stanton as the everyday designated hitter, Rice would have to change positions if he wanted to stay in the lineup. However, manager Aaron Boone revealed that there are no plans for that.

"The dilemma could be solved if, say, Rice (already playable at first and able to catch, subbed in to work with Tyler Matzek in Sunday’s ninth inning) mastered third base, but manager Aaron Boone said they are still not considering asking Rice to play another position," wrote the New York Post's Mark W. Sanchez.

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Rice playing third base would fill a huge hole for the Yankees and ensure he, Stanton, Goldschmidt and Wells all play every day. However, the Yankees will have to find another way to manage at-bats. Boone noted that the team could get creative down the line.

"When we get to a situation, if we got to get a little creative with things, we’ll do that," Boone said about whether they have considered getting Rice or an outfielder to learn second or third base.

A position change could benefit the Yankees, even if it is not necessarily with Rice. Moving an outfielder to third or second base could help the Yankees get more offensive production from one of those spots.

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