Ben Rice Returns to Yankees Lineup for Red Sox Series Opener

On Saturday, June 27, the New York Yankees listed 27-year-old Ben Rice as the designated hitter (DH) and placed him second in the batting order for the game at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The decision follows Rice’s brief absence from Friday’s lineup and marks his first appearance in the series.

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Rice did not appear in the Yankees’ Friday lineup, although he recorded a single at-bat that day. His return to the roster comes after a short hiatus, during which the club sought to address a slow start to the three-game series. The move underscores the team’s reliance on Rice’s offensive production this season.

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The Yankees’ announced lineup features Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Alex Rosario at third, Cody Bellinger in left field, and Jarren Domínguez in right field, among others. Boston’s roster is not detailed in the source, but the Red Sox entered the game as the American League East’s last-place team. Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger are also noted as All-Star candidates.

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Rice entered Saturday with a .280 batting average, 79 hits, 22 home runs, 53 RBIs, 56 runs scored and two stolen bases in 76 games. The Yankees held a 48-33 record, leading the AL East after 81 games, while the Red Sox trailed at 34-46 after 80 games. The Yankees have gone 26-18 in away games this season.

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The Yankees publicly released the June 27 lineup through Underdog MLB, confirming Rice’s role as DH and his placement second in the order. Team officials emphasized the decision as part of an effort to rebound from the series’ slow start and to maintain offensive momentum heading into the remainder of the matchup.

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• “Yankees 6/27 P. Goldschmidt 1B B. Rice DH A. Rosario 3B C. Bellinger LF J. Domínguez RF J. Caballero 2B M. Schuemann CF A. Volpe SS A. Wells C G. Cole SP” — Underdog MLB

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• “Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice made it to the second round of All-Star voting.” — Gary Phillips, NY Daily News Sports

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Rice’s return bolsters the Yankees’ lineup at a pivotal point in the AL East race, providing a proven power hitter as the team seeks to extend its lead. His statistical output positions him as a strong contender for the American League All-Star roster and a potential MVP finalist, influencing both individual accolades and team performance.

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The Yankees will host the Red Sox for the second game of the three-game series on Sunday, with Rice expected to continue in the DH role. Voters will consider his June statistics when finalizing All-Star selections, and the series outcome may affect the Yankees’ positioning in the AL East heading toward the postseason.

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