Latest Giancarlo Stanton update puts ticking clock on Ben Rice's dominant Yankees run

The first rule of the modern New York Yankees is that roster crunches, surpluses and injury concerns tend to work themselves out. Circumstances will change and rearrange. What seems like an impossible barrier in April eventually events out in June. Even so ... it's probably time for the Yankees to figure out what they intend to do with scorching first baseman/DH Ben Rice when Giancarlo Stanton returns from his dual elbow injuries.

The Yankees' best-laid plans might get waylaid anyhow. But still, with additional clarity emerging on Stanton's status recently - and Rice somehow getting even better, going 4-for-4 and keying another comeback win on Thursday - New York might want to start mapping out first base rest days for Paul Goldschmidt, catcher reps, and an easy transition for Stanton that involves a few Rice DH opportunities per week.

According to insider Bob Klapisch, the Yankees' current belief is that Stanton will be ready to return sometime in June. It may not end up being accurate, but at least it's something tangible, amid so many other confusing status updates.

Yankees believe Giancarlo Stanton will return from injury in June. Time to figure out Ben Rice.

Luckily, the solution here - even if nothing changes, Rice keeps mashing and making Juan Soto's jersey look good, and Stanton comes back forcefully - doesn't seem so difficult.

Fans fearing a worst-case Stanton scenario thought he'd be out all year. His injury history is thick, and his latest malady was nebulous. If he does return in June, he'll require constant management to make sure he's available for when he's really needed (in October) and everything stays up to code.

It's incumbent upon the Yankees to figure out a way to keep Rice in rhythm, as long as he stays semi-locked in, but with Stanton needing a reduced workload and Paul Goldschmidt likely happy to accept a couple of summer breathers, that doesn't seem all that difficult to manage. Rice might not be the singular star every night, but this bulked-up version of the kid is clearly ready to contribute in some capacity all year, and the Yankees cannot afford to say "no" to any viable bats.

Rice, Goldy, and Stanton all deserve chances in the spotlight. Thankfully, you maximize the chances of the latter two's success by mixing in heavy doses of the first guy. This should all work out nicely - and the Yankees have at least a month and a half to get their ducks in a row.