New York Yankees' Ben Rice steps up as Aaron Judge sidelined

First‑ baseman Ben Rice is having a breakout MLB season for the New York Yankees, posting a .304 batting average, a league‑best .641 slugging percentage and 18 home runs. With outfielder Aaron Judge out after a right‑rib stress fracture, Rice has taken on a larger role in the lineup and become a vocal leader in the dugout. Manager Aaron Boone praised Rice’s energy, saying, “I like that he called everyone out like that,” after a teammate’s muted home‑run cheer.

The Yankees sit near the top of the AL East, tied with the Tampa Bay Rays, and are counting on Rice’s production to sustain their postseason push while Judge’s return remains uncertain.