The Yankees believe Rice is ready for the challenge. “I think this guy’s a major-league catcher," catching coordinator Tanner Swanson said.

But now that Stanton is back, the Yankees need to find other ways to get Rice's bat in the lineup. He already played first base once to move Paul Goldschmidt to the bench, but that's not a feasible long-term solution. This time, Rice gets the catching start and Austin Wells sits.

Brought up as a catcher, Ben Rice has caught just 7.2 big league innings, and his only in-game opportunities have come in blowout situations.