Yankees fans losing it after Ben Rice benched again

The New York Yankees are scheduled to take on the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in the second contest of a four-game series. Many fans were excited to see first baseman Ben Rice in action, but manager Aaron Boone decided to bench Rice instead.

Boone is opting to sit the 27-year-old infielder in favor of Paul Goldschmidt, according to Talkin’ Yanks. This will be the second straight contest Ben Rice will sit out after playing the first 15 games this season.

“Aaron Boone tells us Paul Goldschmidt will start over Ben Rice once again tonight against LHP Reid Detmers,” reported Talkin’ Yanks.

The fanbase is seemingly not happy with Boone’s decision. Especially considering the Angels are playing Detmers, who has a higher career OPS against left-handed hitters than he does against right-handed hitters, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.

“Lefties have a career .764 OPS vs. a .740 OPS for righties against Reid Detmers,” said Kirschner. “But no Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, or Jazz Chisholm Jr. today.”

Many fans jumped on social media to voice their displeasure. They are seemingly disappointed in the club’s unwillingness to play Rice against left-handed pitchers. Additionally, the three-year veteran is one of the few players on the Yankees’ roster who is red hot to begin the 2026 season (.362 batting average, .508 OBP, 17 hits, four home runs, 12 RBIs).

“It’s become criminal how much Ben Rice is sitting,” claimed one fan.

This user pointed out, “The most annoying part is the fiction Boone hit us with preseason that Rice is a true full-time starter.”

“How is Rice ever going to learn if you keep sitting him? I see other LH hitters batting way worse than Rice is and in the lineup every day,” stated another individual.

Another fan complained, “Sit the best hitter in baseball right now. Regular genius over there.”

“Ben Rice has been the best, most consistent hitter on this team in the early going. And yes, that includes Judge. Unless he’s banged up, his sitting is stupid,” said a frustrated user.

There is always the off chance that Ben Rice gets subbed in as a pinch hitter at some point on Tuesday. But ultimately, that decision is up to Aaron Boone. The Yankees’ game against the Angels is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. EST.

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