Ben Rice discusses moving forward without Aaron Judge and what it means for the Yankees.

Ben Rice shines as the Yankees’ offensive leader in Aaron Judge’s injury absence. In the first game without Judge, Rice went 2-for-3 with a home run, boosting his season total to 18 and surpassing Judge for the team lead, despite New York’s 5-3 loss to the Red Sox. He credited his success to staying patient and recognizing the right pitch, while acknowledging the challenge of Judge’s absence and the need to move forward day by day.

Rice has emerged as a standout hitter for the 2026 Yankees, boasting an impressive 187 wRC+, second only to Yordan Álvarez among MLB hitters, and he’s on track for his first All-Star appearance at first base. He downplayed added pressure from Judge’s absence, focusing on controlling what he can—his at-bats and pitch selection—rather than how teams will approach him.

The lineup shift due to Judge’s four-to-six-week sidelining also opens opportunities for Spencer Jones, who will receive a one-week trial to showcase his skills, while Jasson Dominguez begins a rehab assignment. Rice praised Jones’ debut performance, highlighting his multi-hit night and confidence boost from a strong first game back.

Key takeaways:
– Ben Rice leads the Yankees offensively in Judge’s absence, delivering a home run and a strong multi-hit performance.
– Rice’s 187 wRC+ positions him among MLB’s top hitters, with All-Star potential on the horizon.
– The absence of Judge creates lineup opportunities, notably for Spencer Jones, while Rice emphasizes staying present and focused on today.