The Yankees' veteran lefty ace is currently dealing with a blister issue, which occurred during his final start of an extremely productive first half.
Maybe it’s a minor cliffhanger, but the Yankees went into the All-Star break with some uncertainty about Max Fried’s next start.
The ace lefty exited last Saturday’s start after three innings due to a blister on his left index finger – an issue Fried has previously experienced in his pitching career.
“We’ll see how it lines up coming out of the break," said manager Aaron Boone, not ready to announce his rotation when the Yankees’ season resumes Friday against the Braves in Atlanta.
So, there’s a chance Fried, now a three-time All-Star, misses this weekend’s series against his former team, after being a spectator at Truist Park during the All-Star Game.
The Yankees’ MVP on the pitching side, Fried’s health and All-Star performance is vital to their October aim.
“He’s kind of been our ace all year, our Cy Young guy," Yankees captain Aaron Judge said last weekend.
Posting a 2.43 ERA and an 11-3 mark across 20 starts, Fried’s “been the one that, whenever we’re in trouble or need a big outing, he’s been the guy that’s always stepped up for us.
“You get a little concerned when a guy like that comes out of a game’’ due to a blister, but Judge and the club were hopeful this was a minor hurdle.
Yankees mindful of Max Fried's innings totals
Last year, Fried exited the All-Star Game with a left forearm issue which cost him three starts, and his injury history is part of the reason he’s never exceeded 185.1 innings in a regular season.
That high mark was in 2022. Fried threw 77.2 regular season innings in 2023 and 174.1 last year.
Currently, Fried is at 122 innings in 20 starts.
“You’re paying close attention in more ways than one now," Boone said regarding the monitoring of how Fried is recovering between starts.
Fried posted a sensational 1.92 ERA through his first 17 starts, and has since hit a rough patch, posting a 6.43 ERA in his last three starts.
“I still like the way I’ve been throwing the ball," said Fried, 31, frustrated by the blister issue but feeling “great" otherwise physically, overall.
Potential to add to the Yankees' rotation
After Juan Soto’s decision to sign with the Mets, Fried was the Yankees’ major pivot, signed to a $218 million, eight-year free agent contract. His performance in the wake of Gerrit Cole’s season-ending elbow surgery (a fate also recently suffered by Clarke Schmidt) can’t be understated.
And the Fried-led rotation should get a boost by early August with Luis Gil’s anticipated return from a lat strain, and with a motivated front office seeking upgrades before the July 31 deadline.
Speaking before Fried’s blister issue, Boone said the Yankees had no plans to skip any of his starts.
This period of recovery might provide something of midseason break for Fried, and the Yankees have routinely granted their starters additional rest when the schedule allows.
“I hope it’s a year where he does go past it," Boone said last week of Fried’s previous innings ceiling. “He’s in the prime of his career and I think he’s an athlete that can handle it.
“That being said, you’re extremely mindful of it."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Yankees have a lot riding on Max Fried in second half
Category: Baseball
