But now that Stanton is back, the Yankees need to find other ways to get Rice's bat in the lineup. He already played first base once to move Paul Goldschmidt to the bench, but that's not a feasible long-term solution. This time, Rice gets the catching start and Austin Wells sits.

The Yankees believe Rice is ready for the challenge. “I think this guy’s a major-league catcher," catching coordinator Tanner Swanson said.

The slumping New York Yankees sat Ben Rice for Tuesday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Angels while they continued to work slugger Giancarlo Stanton back into the lineup. Stanton, who missed the first 70 games of the season with tendinitis in both elbows,