Ben Rice Injured, Latest Updates on Yankees Star's Status After Exiting vs. Orioles

New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice left Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles because of a hand injury, but early indications were he avoided a more significant setback.

The Yankees announced he exited the contest with a "left hand contusion" and noted he was considered "day-to-day" because X-rays were negative.

According to the announcement, the injury happened when Rice was in the field on a pickoff attempt in the third inning.

Notably, he remained in the game for the bottom half of the frame and doubled before scoring on an Aaron Judge double. Yet Paul Goldschmidt replaced him in the field at the start of the top of the fourth inning.

Losing Rice for any amount of time would be quite the blow for the Yankees, as he has been a force in their offense.

He is slashing .343/.455/.759 with 12 home runs and 27 RBI in the early going this season after launching 26 long balls during the 2025 campaign.

Hitting in front of Judge in the lineup certainly helps him put up those numbers, as opposing pitchers don't want to put him on base with walks before arguably the best offensive player in the game. That means plenty of pitches to hit, and Rice has taken full advantage.

If Rice is forced to miss time, Goldschmidt is an obvious candidate to fill in at first base.

While the 38-year-old has a National League MVP, five Silver Sluggers, four Gold Gloves and seven All-Star Games on his resume, he is no longer at the peak of his career. But he is still a capable bat and glove who can take over first base in the short term.

Still, the Yankees will be better off when Rice is healthy and back in the lineup.