The New York Yankees have made key roster moves as the season enters its final stretch. Ben Rice, a rookie first baseman, has been sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while right-hander Luis Gil is set to begin a rehab assignment after a stint on the injured list.
Ben Rice sent to Triple-A
Ben Rice‘s first stint in the major leagues has come to an end as the Yankees opted to send the struggling rookie back to Triple-A. Rice, 25, made his MLB debut on June 18 and initially showed promise, highlighted by a three-home-run game against the Boston Red Sox on July 5. However, Rice’s performance at the plate declined sharply after that standout moment. Over the past two months, he has managed just a .112 batting average and a .443 OPS, with only three home runs to his name.
Rice’s demotion comes as the Yankees prepare to welcome back veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been out since June with a fractured arm. Despite Rice’s struggles, he is still viewed as a valuable prospect for the Yankees, particularly as the team considers the future of its aging infield. Rice was ranked as the Yankees’ No. 12 prospect at the time of his call-up, and he performed well in the minors this season, hitting .275 overall, including .333 during his time at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Luis Gil set for rehab assignment
On the pitching front, Luis Gil is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Sunday. The 26-year-old right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since August 21 due to a lower back strain. Gil, in his first full season in the majors, has been a key part of the Yankees’ rotation, posting a 12-6 record with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 24 starts.
However, Luis Gil’s workload has been a concern. He has already logged a career-high 124.2 innings this season, and signs of fatigue were evident before his injury. In his last start before landing on the IL, Gil lasted just three innings, giving up three earned runs on three hits and six walks against the Cleveland Guardians. His performance in the two starts leading up to the injury was also shaky, with seven earned runs allowed over seven innings.
Despite these struggles, the Yankees are eager to have Gil back as they push to secure the AL East title. The team has missed his presence in the rotation, particularly with other pitchers also struggling. Will Warren, who was called up to fill in for Gil, was optioned back to Triple-A after another rough outing against the Cardinals on Saturday.
The return of Anthony Rizzo is another significant development for the Yankees. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Rizzo could be back in the lineup as soon as Sunday, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s offense. Rizzo, who struggled at the plate before his injury, will look to regain his form as the Yankees gear up for the final month of the regular season.
Yankees look ahead
With Rice back in Triple-A and Gil on the mend, the Yankees are making the necessary adjustments as they aim for a strong finish. The next few weeks will be crucial as they attempt to secure their place in the postseason and potentially clinch the AL East crown.
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