Rice went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first career four-hit effort by Rice, whose two-run single in the sixth inning put the Yankees on top 6-3. Despite struggling against southpaws, the lefty-hitting Rice is slashing .317/.414/.650 with five home runs, three doubles, one triple and 10 RBI through 70 plate appearances (17 games) as New York's primary designated hitter versus right-handed pitching to open the season.

Rice is not in the Yankees' starting lineup against the Royals on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Rice has faced off against left-handed pitching this season, but he'll take a seat Wednesday with the Royals sending southpaw Kris Bubic to the mound. With Rice beginning the contest in the dugout, Aaron Judge will serve as the designated hitter while Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez man the outfield. Rice has started the season slashing .273/.385/.618 with 10 walks, two stolen bases, 12 runs scored, five home runs and seven RBI in 65 plate appearances.

Rice went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 8-4 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old slugger took Lou Trivino deep in the sixth inning, ripping a line drive over the fence in the right-field corner that left his bat at 113.2 mph. Rice appears to be headed for a breakout campaign, slashing .310/.431/.690 through 13 appearances with four homers, five RBI and 11 runs while settling in at the top of the Yankees' batting order -- over his last seven games, Rice has batted exclusively leadoff against right-handed pitching, and second against lefties.

Rice went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win against Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Rice broke a scoreless tie with a two-run shot to center field in the seventh inning. The second-year slugger batted in the leadoff spot for New York, which he's done four times in the team's past seven games. Rice has been very productive to begin the campaign, slashing .306/.419/.667 with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, four RBI, nine runs and two stolen bases through 43 plate appearances. His 25.6 percent strikeout rate isn't ideal, but Rice has balanced the punchouts with a 16.3 percent walk rate.

Rice is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed-hitting Rice had started each of the past six games, but he'll take a seat Sunday for the matinee contest while the Pirates send a lefty to the bump in Andrew Heaney. Aaron Judge will get a day off from defensive duties and serve as the Yankees' designated hitter in Rice's stead.

Rice went 1-for-4 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 9-4 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Rice has hit safely in five of seven games to begin the season, and he's recorded a steal in each of the last two contests. The 26-year-old was caught on his only attempt at swiping a bag in 2024, but he's apparently making an effort to get more involved on the basepaths this season, especially when he's hitting leadoff as he has over the last two games. He's batting .350 with two home runs, two doubles, two RBI and seven runs scored over 25 plate appearances so far.

Rice went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run in Sunday's 12-3 win against Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Rice got in on a homer-happy weekend by the Yankees, smashing a 383-foot solo shot to right field in the second inning. The 26-year-old has started at DH in two of New York's first three games and has gone 3-for-6 with three runs scored. As long as Rice continues to get regular playing time, he can be a useful source of power in fantasy -- he belted 31 long balls over 129 regular-season contests across the minors and majors last season.

Rice isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

With southpaw Nestor Cortes set to throw the first pitch for Milwaukee, the lefty-hitting Rice will remain on the bench to begin the game. Jasson Dominguez will serve as the DH instead while Cody Bellinger starts in left field, allowing Trent Grisham to start in center and bat ninth.

Rice will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Thursday's opener versus the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The Yankees will use Trent Grisham in center field, Cody Bellinger in right field and Aaron Judge at designated hitter some days until Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) returns. However, Rice should get the bulk of the DH duties versus righties, and he'll draw into the lineup Opening Day against Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.

Manager Aaron Boone announced Tuesday that Rice will be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giancarlo Stanton's elbow issues created an opening at designated hitter, and Rice took advantage of the opportunity during spring training with five homers and an .848 OPS in 69 plate appearances. The 26-year-old is likely to see most of his action at designated hitter but could also get looks at first base and catcher.