The Yankees may have found their first baseman of the future in Ben Rice. The problem is that they need him catching right now. Aaron Boone is trying to balance Rice’s emergence with Austin Wells’ development, and it’s become one of the trickier lineup puzzles of the stretch run.

It was the second lineup in a row that featured young slugger Ben Rice at the catcher spot, with Austin Wells increasingly pushed to the side amid a slump at the plate.

Anthony Volpe’s rough season got even worse Friday in a 1-0 loss to the Red Sox. Not only did the shortstop go hitless again to extend his slump to 1-for-25, he got booed after a strikeout in the eighth and made a mental error at shortstop an inning later.

With Austin Wells struggling at the plate and Ben Rice swinging an impact bat, the latter found himself serving as the Yankees’ starting catcher for the second consecutive night on Tuesday against

Yankees catcher Austin Wells admits frustration after losing starts to Ben Rice, with Paul Goldschmidt limiting lineup flexibility.

The New York Yankees could look to sign a few of their stars to massive contract extensions in the offseason in order to set up for the future.

J.C. Escarra's demotion didn't alter Austin Wells' role with the Yankees, despite Aaron Boone not having announced it. Still, it's clear that when Aaron Judge a