The New York Yankees received some encouraging signs regarding starting pitcher Max Fried after placing him on the injured list this week.
The left-hander landed on the 15-day injured list Monday because of a bone bruise in his left elbow. The ailment matches the one that kept him out for roughly two months earlier in the season, raising concerns that his year could end prematurely.
Reporter Brendan Kuty of The Athletic pointed to a key detail that offered the club some optimism.
“A potential saving grace for the Yankees? The club didn’t put Fried on the 60-day injured list, which would have ended his season. The Yankees appear to be holding out hope that he could still return by only putting him on the 15-day IL,” Kuty wrote.
That decision leaves open the possibility Fried could rejoin the rotation before the postseason if his recovery moves faster than it did the first time around. Team officials have not provided a firm timeline, but the shorter injured-list stint signals they have not written off the remainder of his campaign.
Fried has gone 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA across 15 starts this year. He is in the second season of an eight-year, $218 million contract signed with the Yankees.
Even if Fried misses extended time, the Yankees possess depth options to fill the gap. Cam Schlittler and Gerrit Cole would likely anchor the front of a playoff rotation, with Carlos Rodón expected to take a prominent role as well.
Ryan Weathers and Will Warren also stand ready to provide additional innings. Kuty noted the shift in plans.
“The Yankees had hoped to head into October with a rotation fronted by Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole and Fried,” Kuty wrote. “That might now be in jeopardy, though they have coverage in Rodón and lefty Ryan Weathers, who has been especially good of late (2.56 ERA over his last 11 starts). The sudden departure of Fried makes it even more important that the rest of the Yankees’ stars return healthy — and soon.”
Losing a pitcher of Fried’s caliber for any length of time still represents a significant setback for the staff. The club has leaned on its starters throughout a competitive season and will need consistent performances from the remaining arms.
Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to hold a wild-card position in the American League standings. They entered the week at 69-55, sitting six games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the division race.
New York just completed a series against the Toronto Blue Jays that ended on a positive note. After dropping the first two contests, the Yankees avoided a sweep with a victory in the finale Sunday. Ben Rice delivered the decisive blow with a two-run home run in extra innings.
Rice reflected on the result afterward.
“It definitely felt good,” Rice said. “I mean, you just gotta have as short of a memory as you possibly can, and just go out there and try to execute a plan against whoever’s on the mound.”
Manager Aaron Boone praised the group’s resolve in the face of ongoing challenges.
“This season has tested our character and our resilience,” Boone said. “It’s games like this we continue to find ourselves in. We just gotta keep fighting and know that we’re an incomplete team, but we have a chance to be who we want to be.”
The Yankees will monitor Fried’s progress closely in the coming days while relying on the rest of the pitching staff to keep them in contention. Any update on his status could influence how the club approaches the final stretch of the regular season and potential postseason preparations.
