Max Fried, the Yankees’ pitcher, left today’s game after three innings due to soreness in his left elbow. While he hopes this is just a minor setback, he’ll have imaging done tomorrow to assess the situation. It’s unclear if this is merely precautionary or if a more serious issue is at play.
Fried has a history of elbow problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 while in the minors and faced a forearm strain in 2023 that sidelined him for about three months. In 2024, he dealt with forearm neuritis, costing him another two weeks. After these setbacks, he signed a significant deal with the Yankees in 2024 for eight years and $218 million, the biggest contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. So far, he’s lived up to that deal, stepping into the ace role after Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery in 2025. Last season, Fried made 32 starts with a 2.86 ERA and ranked fourth in Cy Young voting.
The Yankees have started the 2026 season strong, boasting a record of 27-16. Their rotation ERA of 3.07 is nearly the best in the majors, right behind Atlanta’s 3.06. Fried’s current ERA stands at 2.91, emphasizing his importance to the team.
With Cole’s return on the horizon and Carlos Rodón also recently coming off the injured list, the Yankees might face tough decisions in their rotation. Rodón has a solid track record, and alongside Fried, they form a formidable duo. However, if Fried’s elbow issue proves serious, Cole could easily take his spot.
While the Yankees have options, like Elmer Rodríguez and Brendan Beck from the 40-man roster, the ideal scenario would involve having Cole, Fried, Rodón, and other strong arms ready for a playoff push. As the team moves forward, they’ll hope Fried’s injury turns out to be minor, so they can maintain a competitive edge for the season.
For more on player injuries and statistics, you can check MLB’s injury report.
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