{"id":339371,"date":"2026-09-06T15:12:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T15:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/339371\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T15:12:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T15:12:34","slug":"new-york-yankees-star-ben-rice-makes-aaron-judge-statement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/339371\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Yankees Star Ben Rice Makes Aaron Judge Statement"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 25: Ben Rice #22 (L) of the New York Yankees celebrates his solo home run with Aaron Judge #99 in the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Saturday night, the New York Yankees<\/a> played the second game of their series with the San Diego Padres<\/a> in California.<\/p>\n

The Yankees won by a score of 5-1.<\/p>\n

Ben Rice<\/a> finished with three hits and two walks.<\/p>\n

Ben Rice Makes Aaron Judge Statement<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBen Rice #22 and Aaron Judge<\/a> #99 of the New York Yankees celebrate Rice\u2019s first inning two-run home run at Yankee Stadium on May 03, 2026 in New York City.\n<\/p>\n

After the game, Rice was asked about Aaron Judge (via YES Network<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The three-time MVP has been out since May 31 with an injury.<\/p>\n

Reporter: \u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of weight on all you guys since Judge went down. He seems to be getting close now. What do you think the impact of that\u2019s going to be when he does come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Rice: \u201cThat\u2019d be hard to put into words. I\u2019m not exactly sure what the status is, but we\u2019re all as eager to have him back now as we were right when he went out. It would mean a lot to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following his third straight multi-hit game, Ben Rice speaks on his hot hitting, Spencer Jones\u2019 trip out west, and the impact Aaron Judge could have when he returns. #YANKSonYES<\/a> <\/p>\n

Looking At Judge<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyAaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox<\/a> at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2026 in New York City.\n<\/p>\n

Judge was picked in the 1st round of the 2013 MLB<\/a> Draft out of Fresno State.<\/p>\n

He has spent all 11 seasons of his career with the Yankees.<\/p>\n

MLB.com wrote<\/a> (on September 5): \u201cTook on-field batting practice Sept. 4 and 5. Has been facing velocity, running bases and performing outfield work. Expected to face live pitching Sept. 7 in New York. Could return for Yankees\u2019 next homestand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before getting hurt, Judge was batting .248 with 53 hits, 17 home runs, 38 RBIs, 43 runs and five stolen bases in 59 games.<\/p>\n

Looking At Rice<\/p>\n

\n\"\"<\/a>GettyBen Rice #22 of the New York Yankees in action during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> at Citizens Bank Park on July 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.\n<\/p>\n

As for Rice, he is in the middle of his third season (all with the Yankees).<\/p>\n

The 2026 All-Star is batting .257 with 130 hits, 36 home runs, 88 RBIs, 87 runs and three stolen bases in 135 games.<\/p>\n

Yankees Right Now<\/p>\n

The Yankees are the second-place team in the American League East with an 81-61 record in 142 games.<\/p>\n

They are 4.0 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a> for first.<\/p>\n

Following one more game with the Padres, the Yankees will head home to host the Colorado Rockies<\/a> on Tuesday night in the Bronx.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tBen Stinar<\/a> Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.\u00a0
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\nHe has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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