Yankees manager Aaron Boone details why Ben Rice remains out of catcher rotation

The New York Yankees have kept Ben Rice out of the catcher rotation for a majority of the 2026 season, and Aaron Boone has offered the clearest explanation yet. The manager framed the issue around health, physical readiness, and his comfort level, not Rice’s performance.

Rice’s offensive value already gives the Yankees lineup flexibility, but his catching background adds another layer of intrigue. If he becomes available behind the plate, New York would gain a rare left-handed bat capable of helping Boone manage matchups and roster decisions more creatively.

The New York Post Sports posted a clip Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, from Boone’s appearance on The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman. Heyman asked why Rice has not caught this season.

“Why haven’t we seen Ben Rice at catcher yet this season? Aaron Boone says his palm injury that cost him a few games at the beginning of May has something to do with it.”

Why haven't we seen Ben Rice at catcher yet this season? Aaron Boone says his palm injury that cost him a few games at the beginning of May has something to do with it.

The Show with @Joelsherman1 & @JonHeyman –> https://t.co/X69ac8o75O pic.twitter.com/UAQpNj33vm

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) June 10, 2026

“I just have not been comfortable yet, and because he, he got slowed down again by the palm thing, as far as his physical catching, if it is to happen, it’ll be a ways off.”

That explanation pushed back on outside speculation. The Yankees manager made clear New York is not treating his catching absence as a simple usage decision.

Catching places constant stress on the hands through receiving, blocking, and throwing. For Rice, the palm issue makes it harder for New York to add that workload while keeping him productive in lower-strain roles.

The timing matters. New York improved to 41-26 after completing a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, extending the club’s winning streak to four games while staying in a tight AL East race with the Tampa Bay Rays.

For now, the 27-year-old remains more useful in roles that protect his hand. The Yankees value flexibility, but Boone’s comments made the timeline clear. Any return to catching still appears distant.

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