Ben Rice is forcing Yankees to decide on starting catcher role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Yankees’ lineup feels like it’s shifting in real time with need and desperation. Monday night might have been the tipping point. Ben Rice homered in the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Twins.

Ben Rice's remarkable season has been a key to keeping the New York Yankees afloat. Rice didn't have a clear path to playing time in spring training, but Giancarlo Stanton's elbow injuries opened the door to at-bats early on.

With Rice consistently hitting balls harder than most big leaguers not named Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, his receiving skills steadily improving and Wells’ average down to .208, it looks like the Yankees suddenly have a platoon at catcher.