Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. TAMPA A day later, Ben Rice still appears to have avoided anything Ilya Mikheyev Jersey serious after The Yankees designated hitter admitted he was worried when he got nailed on his back elbow with a slider during Saturdays game, but X-rays and a CT scan came back negative and by Sunday, he had seen some improvement, though he was out of the lineup against the Rays. Quite a bit better, manager Aaron Boone said before a 4-0 win at Steinbrenner Field. I think hes in pretty good spirits after being a little concerned [Saturday]. I think the X-ray put his mind at ease a little bit that theres no cracks in there or anything. Ben Rice in a bit of pain after getting hit by this pitch Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) Yankees DH Ben Rice reacts after getting hit by a pitch during a game against the Rays on April 19, 2025. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images But he was still pretty stiff and sore [Saturday], still a little bit today. But when I talked to him, he was smiling and felt like he was quite a bit better. Explore More Rice still had some swelling in his elbow on Sunday morning, so he was expected to get treatment throughout the day to help reduce it. Boone planned on staying away from Rice during Sundays game and did, with no obvious spot for him to pinch hit anyways but it is po sible that he returns during the upcoming series in Cleveland that begins Monday. Yankees DH Ben Rice reacts after getting hit by a pitch during a game against the Rays on April 19, 2025. AP Hopefully [it will] be something thats not too long, Boone said. Rice said Saturday night he expected to be day to day. Boone continued to voice his confidence in Devin Williams a day after the closer gave up a four-run lead in the ninth inning. The right-hander has a 9.00 ERA through his first nine appearances as a Yankee. CHECK OUT THE AND The guys really good, Boone said. I know [Saturday] was rough, but you really break down the outing and its not like he got hit around. I understand the noise around it. Obviously a tough one for us. But at the end of the day, hes really good at this. Hell get through this. Just keep trying to get him in good spots. Its a long, long season. For us to be at our best, hes going to be a key figure for us. Clayton Beeter, who was slow-played in spring training as he came back from a shoulder injury, began a rehab a signment Sunday with Single-A Tampa and struck out all four batters he faced. The reliever sat between 95-98 mph with his fastball. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Reports have been good with how hes throwing, Boone said. The velocitys in a good spot. He could definitely be a guy that could play a big role for us this year. Jonathan Loisiga (elbow surgery) threw live batting practice on Sunday at the clubs player development complex. He is expected to throw one more se sion this week before beginning a rehab a signment, if all goes well. NHL Chicago Blackhawks Jersey