Instead, Judge and the Yankees need to accept that the best course of action moving forward is for the two-time AL MVP to man first base beginning in 2026.

So when Ben Rice crushed a solo home run on Thursday night against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, it tied the game and one run apiece –– but the Yankees wound up losing 6-3. That cut New York's lead over Boston to just a half game for second place in the American League East Standings, as they trail the Toronto Blue Jays by 4.5 games.