Fried returning to Yanks, set to start Game 2 of doubleheader vs. Bucs
The New York Yankees are accelerating their pitching rotation schedule. Max Fried is set to return to the mound for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gerrit Cole takes the ball for the first game of the day.
Management moved up the timeline for the veteran left-hander. Initial plans indicated Fried required an additional rehab appearance before rejoining the major league roster for the upcoming series in Chicago. However, the team chose to activate him immediately following his Friday outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. During that appearance, Fried threw 52 pitches across three innings while striking out three batters.
Fried has been sidelined since May 14 due to a bone bruise in his throwing elbow. Before the injury, he maintained a 3.21 ERA across his starts and limited opposing hitters to a .199 batting average. His return provides stability to a staff that has managed a 21-21 record while missing several core players.
The addition of Fried comes at a vital point for the team. With upcoming series against Philadelphia, Chicago, and the White Sox, the organization looks to stabilize its performance after a period of roster turnover. His presence provides the rotation with a proven arm as the club prepares for a demanding stretch of road games.