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Scouting Report
Updated May 17, 2026
Ben Rice, 27-year-old Yankees first baseman, suffered a left hand contusion on May 3 during a pickoff attempt against the Orioles. X-rays came back negative and he was ruled day-to-day. He missed four consecutive games but returned to the lineup. Prior to injury, Rice was having an elite 2026 season, leading MLB with a .343 batting average and 1.214 OPS through early May with 12 home runs and 27 RBIs in 33 games. He was named to MLB's Team of the Month for April. Post-injury, Rice experienced a brief slump (0-for-13 with 5 strikeouts) during a Brewers series, which may be residual effects from the hand injury affecting his swing mechanics. Yankees management expects him to avoid IL placement and return to form.
Strengths
- + Elite offensive production: .343 BA, 1.214 OPS leading MLB
- + 12 home runs and 27 RBIs in first 33 games of 2026 season
- + Named to MLB Team of the Month for April
- + Excellent contact quality: 59% hard-hit rate, .504 weighted on-base average
- + Effective against both RHP and LHP, no platoon concerns
- + X-rays negative on hand injury, no structural damage
- + Manager Aaron Boone confident injury won't require IL stint
- + Strong trajectory from 12th-round draft pick to star player
- + 26 home runs in 2025 season shows sustained power production
- + On pace for first All-Star selection
Injury Status: day-to-day -- Left hand contusion sustained on May 3 during pickoff attempt vs. Orioles; X-rays negative; missed 4 consecutive games; still experiencing soreness affecting swing mechanics
About
Ben Rice is a first baseman for the New York Yankees.
Player Overview
1B
New York Yankees
Recent News
Ben Rice: Belts two-run homer off Cease
May 19, 2026
Yankees hit two homers, hold on for 5-4 win over Blue Jays
May 19, 2026
Game #47 GameThread: Jays @ Yankees
May 18, 2026
Ben Rice forming historic 1-2 punch with Aaron Judge to help Yankees fill their Juan Soto void
May 16, 2026
Clay Holmes allowed four earned runs over 4 1/3 innings while striking out eight in Friday's loss to the Yankees.
May 15, 2026