Yankees activating Fried early for doubleheader vs. Pirates

The New York Yankees are shaking up their pitching plans as they head into Wednesday's day-night doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ace left-hander Max Fried is returning to the mound earlier than originally scheduled. He is coming off the injured list following a recovery from a left elbow bone bruise that has kept him out of action since mid-May.

Fried was expected to make one more minor league appearance to build up his pitch count. However, a rainout on Tuesday forced the coaching staff to adjust. With the schedule now packed, the team decided to move him into the starting rotation for the second game of the twinbill. Gerrit Cole will handle starting duties for the opener.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that the staff is comfortable with the move. While the goal is to continue building up Fried's workload after his stint on the sidelines, the team believes he is ready to compete at the major league level immediately. This arrival marks a significant boost for the Yankees, as they are finally putting him into the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole.

This year has been important for the organization as they look to solidify their roster for the second half of the season. Fried signed a long-term contract with the Yankees back in December 2024. Having both he and Cole active at the same time is a key part of the team's strategy moving forward. The Yankees are currently balancing their roster needs across a busy stretch of games, with the team also looking ahead to their upcoming series in Philadelphia.