Did the Yankees just, against the odds, extend their improbable three-year streak of having a “Ben R.” report at the catcher position to spring training? And, unlike last time, does this “Ben R.” actually exist?

It may sound like we’re talking about Severance, but rest assured, the reddit lore here isn’t quite so lengthy. Instead, the mystery shouldn’t last very long, and the clues are extremely easy to spot.

When the Yankees cleared out their backup catchers (Jose Trevino, Carlos Narvaez) this winter, it was only fair to wonder who they had designs on taking the job. JC Escarra, who starred at Triple-A last season, is on the 40-man roster, and they purportedly love him. But do they Caleb Durbin love him? Is his name just a placeholder/sales job for a move yet to come? Alex Jackson was obtained in the Trevino trade as a secondary piece; he’s got the glove for it, but he hit .122 with the Rays last year, homering thrice (though he did victimize Nestor).

As soon as the depth chart got perilously thin, fans began to theorize that maybe, just maybe, the Yankees were plotting to use Ben Rice a bit more behind the dish in Year 2. Rice came up as a catcher, playing 121 games at the position in the minors vs. just 66 at first base. While Paul Goldschmidt will certainly need relief at first from time to time, Rice’s flexibility could help him make consistent backup starts at both positions, hopefully allowing his Triple-A power to translate a bit better.

And, what do you know?! Rice reported to camp early with the rest of the catchers, then was photographed and posted on the Yankees’ social media accounts catching Luis Gil on Day 1. If they’re trying to hide it, they’re doing a worse job than [SEVERANCE SPOILER REDACTED].

Happy Campin' 🤝 pic.twitter.com/AOQb0V0D5P

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 11, 2025

Yankees trying Ben Rice as catcher at 2025 MLB spring training?

It’s more than just a little bit interesting.

Rice has been the darling of folks awaiting a breakout all winter long; though he hit just .171 in 152 at-bats last season, torpedoed by a long slump to end the season, his lefty swing is perfectly built for Yankee Stadium, and he showed it off by bashing three homers against the Boston Red Sox in a July showcase. His barrel percentage, as well as his chase percentage/walk percentage, veered towards the top of the league in a smaller-than-it-should’ve-been sample size.

Rice may not be gifted a starting role this season, but 2026 is a different story if the Yankees’ grand Munetaka Murakami plans don’t work out. Perhaps some added flexibility would help extend his runway to contribute.