The New York Yankees are riding high on success with a 27-19 record, leading the American League East. And while the good news was just sinking in, things took a drastic turn. The red flag? Their third baseman, Oswaldo Cabrera, while diving next to the catcher in the game against the Seattle Mariners, got himself injured with a twisted ankle.

Now, with the position vacant, a dark cloud was looming over the Bronx. But then again, there’s always a thin silver lining. That’s visible now with an interesting sight of the Yankees’ infield sessions, hinting at a major change in the lineup involving a rising star.

Ben Rice, the Yankees’ first baseman. Practicing at third base, he has now become the focus in the Big Apple. Being flexible at the catcher position, first base, or the designated hitter, Ben Rice trained at the new position along with backup catcher, J.C. Escarra, guided by the infield coach, Travis Chapman.

Gary Phillips has reported, “Quick note from last night: Ben Rice took some grounders at 3B with J.C. Escarra before the game. Rice repeatedly said it was ‘just for fun. J.C. & I just do it to feel better when we’re at 1B.’ They also took grounders at SS when the #Yankees were in Sacramento.” 

However, while many speculate that the Yankees are carefully orchestrating a move to change their infield dynamics after Oswaldo Cabrera’s injury, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, “Not necessarily read anything into it. Just doing it for fun right now.” Well, true that players have often been found practicing in different positions that they haven’t played at all during the games. But Rice at third base could make a lot of sense.

The Yankees have been dealing with the gap at third base all this season, and it further escalated with the horrifying injury last week. Given that Ben Rice has been hitting well this season and Jazz Chisholm Jr. is still on the injured list, he could be a wise choice. It might not be difficult to get the 26-year-old to work in a more athletic position because he has already earned 131 of his 160 appearances at the plate this season as the DH.

Can the Yankees’ rising star be a good bet at 3B amid injury woes?

As the Yankees struggle with Cabrera’s absence, Rice’s recent infield workouts demonstrate the team’s flexibility and ability to adjust to a new strategy. Coach Travis Chapman pointed out, “He took ground balls at second, short, third, and first. Just getting his feet moving.”

Chapman would like to put him in a position where he needs to be a little bit more athletic for the New York Yankees. Although Rice remains a first baseman, the decision to move across different positions is not simply an experiment but a conscious effort to improve Rice’s agility and responsiveness.

With a .348 OBP, a .877 OPS, nine home runs, and 20 RBIs, Ben Rice has been hitting at a .250 average this season. It’s undoubtedly encouraging, and given baseball’s unpredictability and the limited room for risk as the season goes on, this experimentation with various infield positions may eventually pay off.

Do you think Ben Rice can be a good addition at third base?