The New York Yankees have had an up-and-down start to the 2026 MLB season. They sit at 31-22 heading into Monday’s games, 4.5 games behind the American League East division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
New York is just 1-4 versus Tampa Bay this season. They are hoping it is not a repeat of 2025’s division race, where the team tied with the Toronto Blue Jays at the end of the season but did not have the tiebreaker after poor head-to-head play.
While the Yankees’ starting rotation has been mostly positive without him, they are counting on the return of 32-year-old southpaw Max Fried sooner rather than later.
In the second year of a mammoth eight-year, $218 million contract, the lefty was off to a promising start through mid-May.
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On May 13, during a start against the Baltimore Orioles, Fried exited the game early with a left elbow issue. The Yankees initially feared he suffered a torn UCL, though it was later revealed after imaging that it was a bone bruise.
In the midst of Fried’s stint on the 15-day injured list, manager Aaron Boone gave an update on his status. He revealed that Fried had begun playing catch, the first time since the injury.
However, Boone also stated that reporters should not read too much into it. "Max Fried played catch today for the first time since being shut down. Aaron Boone said not to read too much into that because it doesn’t mean the start of his ramp-up, but he is at least able to get his arm moving," reported Greg Joyce of The New York Post.
While Boone did not seem the most enthusiastic, it is worth noting that any progress is positive because of how dominant Fried is when he is on the mound.
The left-hander compiled a 4-3 record, 3.21 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings pitched this season. Fried averaged over six innings pitched a start, which is especially valuable with New York’s shaky bullpen.
The Yankees had the fortune of getting Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole back from injury right around the time Fried went down. While this is a huge boost to the rotation, it would be even better if Fried could return soon.
It’s currently unclear when he could return, but his addition to the rotation when off the injured list will make New York’s already elite rotation even better.
