NEW YORK — The Yankees hold the best record in the American League, but manager Aaron Boone is managing a roster stretched by injuries at several critical spots.
Wednesday brought updates on six players at once. Ben Rice missed a third straight game. Jose Caballero had X-rays taken after a hit-by-pitch, with results coming back clean. Ryan Weathers was scratched from Thursday’s start. Giancarlo Stanton is not yet running. Carlos Rodon is set to return Sunday. Gerrit Cole needs more time.
Ben Rice: day-to-day but still not swinging freely
Rice sat out a third straight day Wednesday and was not used off the bench even as the Yankees fell behind. The AL batting leader has been nursing a left hand contusion since Sunday, when he misplayed a pickoff throw from Yankees starter Max Fried.
Ben Rice described how the injury happened, explaining what he thought was coming versus what actually arrived.
“It’s a little sore,” Rice said Monday. “I thought the throw was going to be a little lower than it was. I went down and thought it would be in the dirt, then it kind of stayed up in the end. I caught it poorly. It kind of hit in the palm.”
The hand has not loosened up enough to let Rice swing at full strength. Boone said before Wednesday’s game that the Yankees still did not expect to place Rice on the injured list, but acknowledged the situation could change if progress stalls.
“It doesn’t look like it’s going to be an IL,” Boone said. “If it continues to not get to a point where he’s playable, then obviously we’ll have that conversation. But it does seem day-to-day. I know he felt better today, so hopefully he’s able to do some things and maybe even be available on some level.”
Rice had been carrying the Yankees offense. Through Tuesday he led the AL in batting average (.343), OPS (1.214), on-base percentage (.455) and slugging (.759), with 12 home runs and 27 RBIs. The Yankees went 2-1 without him, but they need him back.
Jose Caballero: X-rays negative after elbow scare
Jose Caballero took a Nathan Eovaldi curveball off his left elbow in the third inning and stayed in the game. X-rays afterward showed no structural damage, though some swelling remained.
Boone was brief when asked about the hit-by-pitch location.
“Just kind of got him in the right spot,” Boone said of the hit-by-pitch location.
Caballero hoped to play Thursday. Slashing .259/.306/.405 with four home runs and 13 stolen bases, his presence matters for a Yankees lineup already missing Rice.
Ryan Weathers: illness forces rotation shuffle
Ryan Weathers was scratched after losing nine pounds to a viral illness. He vomited for hours after his last start, ran a 102-degree fever the next day and was bedridden. The Yankees gave him an IV Wednesday to aid his recovery.
Despite the ordeal, Weathers addressed reporters and was candid about his arm.
“My arm feels really good,” Weathers said. “It’s been weird. That’s what’s been frustrating, my body still feels strong, and my arm felt great. So it was one of the weirder sicknesses I’ve had.”
Paul Blackburn took his spot Thursday. Weathers plans a side session Friday and is expected back in the Yankees rotation Monday against Baltimore. He carried a 3.03 ERA across seven starts entering the week.
Carlos Rodon: rotation return set for Sunday
Rodon is set to make his 2026 debut Sunday in Milwaukee after completing his rehab assignment Tuesday. He built up to 85 pitches across three starts, posting a 3.38 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 16 innings.
Boone was asked about Rodon after watching those outings unfold. He gave a clear answer.
“Feel like he’s been throwing the ball well,” Boone said. “He’s starting to command his stuff well. Feel like he’s ready.”
Rodon had bone chips removed from his elbow this offseason. The Yankees rotation already ranks second in the majors with a 2.98 ERA. Adding Rodon deepens it further.
Gerrit Cole: more time needed before rotation return
Cole is further away. The Yankees ace is working back from Tommy John surgery and has made four rehab starts, most recently allowing five runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings for High-A Hudson Valley.
Boone spoke about what he saw from that outing.
“He is filling up the strike zone, popping some 98-99s,” Boone said. “Think there was a lot of good. He got whacked a couple times, which is not a bad thing. He’s working on different things I think each time out. I really like where he’s at.”
Boone said Cole needs two to three more rehab starts before the Yankees activate him. The rotation has managed without Cole, but his return will be a significant Yankees boost.
Giancarlo Stanton: no running yet as team stays cautious
Stanton remains on the Yankees injured list with a low-grade right calf strain. He was eligible to be activated Wednesday but had not begun a running routine, and Boone said that would not change Thursday.
The Yankees are not rushing Stanton given his history of soft-tissue leg injuries. Avoiding a more serious setback is the priority.
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