Max Fried is set to rejoin the New York Yankees' pitching rotation earlier than anticipated, as he is scheduled to start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium. The decision to activate Fried comes after Tuesday's game was postponed due to rain, prompting the Yankees to adjust their pitching plans. Initially, Fried was expected to make a final rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday before rejoining the major league club next week.
Fried has been sidelined since May 13 with a left elbow bone bruise, during which time he posted a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts. His activation means he and Gerrit Cole, who returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this season, will be in the rotation together for the first time. The Yankees' rotation has faced challenges with injuries, including Carlos Rodón's recent stint on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. However, Rodón is expected to return by early next month, potentially giving the Yankees a fully healthy rotation of Rodón, Cole, Fried, and others.
Despite the rotation injuries, the Yankees starters have maintained a collective 3.63 ERA, ranking as the fifth-best mark in Major League Baseball entering Tuesday. Fried's return is expected to bolster the team as they aim to close the 1.5-game gap behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East lead. While Fried won't directly address the team's offensive struggles, his consistent ability to keep the Yankees competitive in games is seen as a significant boost. He is expected to require approximately five starts to reach full capacity.
Fried, who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract, had a strong first season with the Yankees in 2025, posting a 2.86 ERA across 32 starts while Cole was injured. He carried that performance into the beginning of the current season before his injury. Fried described his ailment as a hyperextension of his elbow and expressed confidence in his long-term outlook, though he indicated that mechanical adjustments might be necessary to prevent future issues.