Ben Rice passed his first test as a starting catcher in the majors.
He came up through the minor league system primarily as a catcher before serving as a first baseman and a DH the past two seasons with the Yankees.
Wednesday he made his first start behind the plate of his MLB career in a 3-2 loss to the Angels.
Rice mentioned he “felt quite at ease,” garnering praise from Aaron Boone and pitcher Ryan Yarbrough for his adept game-catching and successfully throwing out Logan O’Hoppe during his attempted steal of second base in the second inning.
“Rice was good,’’ Boone said. “I don’t think it moved too fast.”
The Yankees want to use Rice more at catcher with Giancarlo Stanton back from elbow tendinitis that had sidelined him since the spring.
Stanton didn’t start Wednesday but pinch-hit for Rice in the bottom of the seventh and popped to left.
Rice has been diligently honing his skills as a catcher throughout the season, and according to Boone, he is a potential candidate for the role, joining the ranks of left-handed hitters Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra.
While the Red Sox might have traded Rafael Devers to the Giants in a major move earlier than many anticipated the trade scene to unfold, Brian Cashman remains convinced that other transactions will gradually come to fruition.
Asked if the market may begin to move in the wake of the Red Sox shipping the unhappy Devers out of Boston, Cashman said, “Not yet. Those days are coming sooner than later.”
Typically, teams like to get past the amateur draft before they turn their full attention to the trade market, and the draft doesn’t begin until July 13.
Asked for his thoughts on the Devers deal, Cashman only said it was “huge.”
“I’m worried about us,’’ Cashman said after taking part in a HOPE Week charity event Wednesday to raise funds for The Valerie Fund, which helps pediatric cancer patients, survivors and their families.
When the time comes, the Yankees figure to be in the market for at least an infielder and some bullpen help.
Luis Gil is expected to face hitters in live batting practice Saturday for the first time since being sidelined in the spring with a strained lat.
Even without Gil, Yankees pitchers have excelled.
They entered Wednesday having given up three or fewer runs in each of the team’s previous eight games, with a 1.61 ERA.
Marcus Stroman continued his rehab assignment with a 3 ¹/₃-inning outing with Double-A Somerset, where he allowed a pair of runs.
Luke Weaver reported no issues after his live BP session on Tuesday.
The closer is coming back from a strained hamstring suffered June 1.
Boone said he would check in with the right-hander Wednesday and Thursday before determining a next step.
“I’m not expecting any hiccups,’’ Boone said of Weaver’s recovery.
With Weaver sidelined, Devin Williams has had his best stretch since joining the Yankees in the offseason.
Now back in the closer role, at least until Weaver gets back, Williams has allowed just five baserunners over 5 ²/₃ innings in six appearances. He’d struck out seven and picked up four saves in as many opportunities.
The Yankees will be looking for Carlos Rodón to return to form Thursday after back-to-back rough outings.
After the left-hander allowed just eight earned runs over a nine-start stretch, Rodón gave up eight earned runs in just 10 innings pitched in his previous two starts.
