Aaron Boone Shuts Down Ben Rice to Catcher Talk — Here’s Why It’s Not Happening Anytime Soon

New York Yankees fans have been itching to see Ben Rice behind the plate, but manager Aaron Boone is making it clear that vision isn’t happening — at least not right now.

Rice is in the middle of a breakout season, slashing .291 with 18 homers and 45 RBIs. That production has naturally led to chatter about whether the 27-year-old could also catch, especially given the Yankees’ current rotation behind the plate. But Boone, speaking to reporters Sunday, poured cold water on that speculation.

The Hand Injury Factor

Boone pointed to a hand injury Rice suffered about a month ago as a key reason the catching experiment is on hold. According to Gary Phillips, Boone said Rice hasn’t caught any bullpen sessions or pregame work since the injury — even though the injury itself is no longer an issue.

“Aaron Boone, again, reiterated that Ben Rice catching isn’t in the plans right now,” Phillips wrote on X.

Spring Training Workload Already Limited Options

This isn’t the first time Boone has addressed the topic. Earlier this spring, he noted that Rice’s workload during camp made catching impractical. The team prioritized getting him ready for the season as a hitter — and it’s hard to argue with the results.

“Part of it was in spring training, we just couldn’t do it with some of the workload, and like he was just getting kind of run down going back and forth…even though he was doing catching drills and catching work,” Boone said, per the New York Post. “But we also were prioritizing getting him ready for the season, and being obviously a key cog in our offense.”

Could Rice Catch Later This Season?

Boone didn’t slam the door completely. He acknowledged Rice is “definitely capable of catching” but said making the transition would require time — time the Yankees might not have in the middle of a playoff push.

“Not to say it’s out of the realm now, but it would take a little bit of time to make that transition,” Boone added.

For now, Rice will keep mashing from the lineup and leave the catching gear in storage. Whether that changes depends on necessity, timing, and whether the Yankees can afford to pull their hottest hitter away from the dish.