On Sunday afternoon, the New York Yankees are playing the third game of their series with the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx.
Ben Rice continued his incredible start to the season with two hits and one home run in his first two at-bats of the day.
That said, he has now left the game.
Gary Phillips of NY Daily News Sports wrote: “Ben Rice is no longer in the game for the #Yankees. Paul Goldschmidt has taken over at 1B.”
UPDATE (via the New York Yankees): “Ben Rice exited today’s game with a left hand contusion that he sustained on the pickoff attempt while playing first base in the third inning. X-rays taken were negative. He’s day-to-day.”
Rice is in the middle of an outstanding season, as he came into the day batting .330 with 35 hits, 11 home runs, 26 RBI’s, 28 runs and two stolen bases in 32 games.
Ryan M. Spaeder wrote: “#Yankees Ben Rice is batting .324/.408/.672 with 54 runs, 18 doubles, 2 triples 21 home runs, and 54 RBI over his last 70 games played.”
There has been no word yet from the Yankees on why Rice left the game.
Social Media Reacts
GettyBen Rice #22 of the New York Yankees rounds second after a hit against the Miami Marlins during the home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 03, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The New York Yankees defeated the Miami Marlins 8-2.
Here’s what people were saying on social media:
@eyyankees: “Ben Rice has been pulled. This is a major red alarm.”
@YankeeSource: “Pause the season.”
@yankeesondeck_: “Ben Rice hurt. Unbelievable”
@TalkinBaseball_: “Ben Rice was removed from the game Speculation is that MLB’s OPS leader got injured receiving a pickoff throw”
GettyBen Rice #22 of the New York Yankees celebrates his solo home run with teammates in the dugout in the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2026 in The Bronx borough of New York City.
@camwoolleyshow: “I’m going to the game tomorrow so of course Ben Rice gets hurt the day before.”
@NYYankeegal16: “🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Ben Rice please be okay. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻”
@NabersFo6: “Please just let the Ben rice removal be a precautionary thing and nothing serious”
@NathanRogers_22: “Looks like Ben Rice has left the game with an injury. On a pickoff play earlier in the game, looks like his left hand caught a stinger. He was noticeably grimacing after that catch. No official word from the Yankees, though.”
Rice’s MLB Career
GettyAaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates his home run against the Tampa Bay Rays with Ben Rice #22 during the ninth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 12, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Rice was picked in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
The 27-year-old has been with the Yankees for all three seasons of his career.
Fans are rightfully concerned, as Rice has been playing like an MVP.
The Yankees will have one more game in their series with the Orioles (on Monday).
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