New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried is progressing in his recovery from a left elbow bone bruise, taking a significant step Friday night by starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Fried threw 52 pitches across three innings, allowing two runs, no walks, and recording three strikeouts.
This outing marks his first on the mound in over two months since landing on the injured list. If Fried's recovery from Friday's game proceeds without issue, he is slated for at least one more rehab start on Wednesday. Following that, the Yankees will evaluate his readiness to rejoin the rotation, though he would not yet be fully built up in terms of pitch count.
"Obviously, tonight’s another important step for him," manager Aaron Boone said. Fried is expected to throw approximately 60 pitches in his next outing, potentially positioning him for a return to the major leagues with a pitch count around 70.
In the interim, the Yankees will need to fill Fried's rotation spot for Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Boone indicated that the team had not yet decided whether to call up a fifth starter or opt for a bullpen game, a strategy they employed before the All-Star break. The team's decision may also be influenced by the remaining minor league options for pitcher Elmer Rodríguez, of which they have used three this season.
Other Yankees on the injured list are also progressing. Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined with left elbow inflammation, threw about 10 pitches off the bullpen mound as part of his throwing progression after a week-long shutdown. Clarke Schmidt is scheduled to face hitters in a simulated inning on Saturday, his first time doing so since beginning his recovery from Tommy John surgery approximately one year ago.
Giancarlo Stanton is undergoing his running progression outside for a right calf strain, though a timetable for his return has not yet been established. Boone also noted that the team had been monitoring air quality in the Bronx due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, though it cleared for most of Friday's game.