Yankees likely to promote Ben Rice as DH

The New York Yankees are getting ready for the start of the season without Giancarlo Stanton. They need to find someone to take over his role as designated hitter (DH). Instead of looking for a big name in free agency or making a trade, the Yankees are likely to promote from within. With just over a week until Opening Day, young player Ben Rice is emerging as the top choice. The team has been impressed with his performance in spring training. Rice has been working on his game, focusing on hitting the ball to the center and left-center field. Last season, he struggled at times and faced challenges in his debut, finishing with a low batting average. Despite that, Rice showed potential, especially after stepping in when teammate Anthony Rizzo was injured. He had a standout game with three home runs against the Boston Red Sox. However, he found it hard to keep up his performance later in the season. This spring, Rice has changed his approach. He has hit four home runs and has an impressive OPS in training games. His improvements suggest he could be the leading candidate for the DH spot while Stanton is out. The timeline for Stanton's return is still unclear, making Rice a crucial part of the Yankees' plans as they head into the new season.