Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees 1B

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Red Sox.

Goldschmidt typically starts against all left-handers, but he will begin this contest on the bench as the Red Sox send southpaw Connelly Early to the hill. The left-handed-swinging Ben Rice — who homered as part of a two-hit day in Game 2 — will occupy first base for the Yankees.

Goldschmidt has been tending to a bone bruise in his right knee recently, but he’ll be available off the bench for Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Goldschmidt missed multiple games in August due to a right knee sprain, so his current bout with the bone bruise could be related. Testing on his knee came back clean, and the Yankees are confident the issue will be manageable, even though he was available off the bench only in an emergency during Saturday’s 3-1 win. Goldschmidt appears to have fallen into a short-side platoon role at first base with Ben Rice, who has started eight of the last 11 games against right-handed pitchers.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Astros.

Goldschmidt will remain on the bench for the Yankees‘ third consecutive matchup with a right-handed pitcher while manager Aaron Boone goes with Ben Rice at first base. Rice should continue to draw the bulk of the starts at the position against righties, as Goldschmidt has produced a lowly .267 wOBA in those matchups for the season.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Nationals.

Goldschmidt had started in three of the Yankees‘ last four games — twice against left-handers, once against a right-hander — and went 5-for-13 with a pair of doubles during that stretch to bring his OPS up to .876 for August. Though he’s performed well at the dish this month, Goldschmidt’s season-long numbers versus right-handed pitching still leave much to be desired, so he may have to settle for a part-time role in those matchups. He’ll cede first base to Ben Rice in the series finale while righty Cade Cavalli takes the hill for Washington.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Red Sox.

Goldschmidt will hit the bench for the second time in the series, with both of his absences coming against right-handed pitching. Though he’s maintained a .795 OPS thus far in August, Goldschmidt is still slashing just .237/.279/.323 with a 21.7 percent strikeout rate in 322 plate appearances versus righties for the season.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the Red Sox.

Goldschmidt started three of the previous four contests and has an .823 OPS through 15 games in August, but he’ll head to the bench for Friday’s matchup with Boston. Ben Rice will handle first base while Austin Wells starts at catcher versus Red Sox righty Brayan Bello.

Goldschmidt (knee) will start at first base and bat sixth Sunday against the Cardinals.

Goldschmidt has been battling a knee sprain, but he’ll return to the lineup for the first time since Tuesday. The veteran first baseman has a .716 OPS through 11 games in August, though he’s gone just 3-for-24 outside of a three-hit performance Aug. 4 in Miami.