TAMPA, Fla. — Although Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice ’s left elbow was still swollen and sore on Easter Sunday morning from his Saturday hit by pitch, the left-handed-hitting rising star wasn’t ready to return to the lineup for a series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Yankees leadoff hitter Ben Rice bruised his left elbow when hit by an 88.2 mph slider from Manuel Rodríguez in the fourth inning of Saturday's 10-8, 10-inning loss to the Rays.

TAMPA — Ben Rice was forced to stop cooking Saturday. The Yankees’ red-hot designated hitter had to leave their game against the Rays shortly after he was hit on the left elbow by an 88 mph slider in the top of the fourth inning. Rice was in obvious pain and was tended to by manager Aaron Boone and a trainer, but stayed in to run the bases.