Max Fried Advances Toward MLB Return with Triple‑A Rehab Start

Among the Yankees’ injured roster, Max Fried is the first to show signs of a comeback.

The left‑hander kicked off his recovery on Friday by pitching in a Triple‑A Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre rehab assignment. He logged 52 pitches over three innings, allowing two earned runs but issuing no walks and striking out three—just over two months after a left‑elbow bone bruise that placed him on the IL.Provided he remains healthy, Fried is slated to start another rehab game on Wednesday. The coaching staff will then assess his readiness for the rotation, though a full buildup still remains.

Manager Aaron Boone highlighted the effort as a crucial milestone, noting the team fell 2‑1 to the Dodgers as the second half of the season began.

His forthcoming assignment would target a 60‑pitch outing, setting the stage for a roughly 70‑pitch MLB debut if his progress continues.

Meanwhile, the Yankees must decide how to fill the starting rotation against the Pirates. Boone indicated they might call up a fifth starter or use a bullpen‑focused lineup, a strategy employed against the Rays before the All‑Star break.

With three of Elmer Rodríguez’s five minor‑league options already used, the club will be cautious in deploying the remaining two throughout the remainder of the season.

“We could follow the Tampa approach and add an extra reliever, but we’ll see how the upcoming games play out before making a final decision for the Pirates matchup,” Boone added.

Left‑handed pitcher Carlos Rodón, who has left‑elbow inflammation, threw approximately ten pitches from the bullpen mound on Friday, continuing his throwing progression after a week off.

Clarke Schmidt is slated to face hitters in a simulated inning Saturday, marking his first game‑action appearance after Tommy John surgery.

“Itching, man,” Schmidt said Friday. “It’s been just over a year now—hit the year mark—so I’m really excited to start getting closer to competition.”

Giancarlo Stanton, who is rehabbing a right‑calf strain, has begun his running program, though no return timeline has been specified.

Boone noted that the team monitored the air quality in The Bronx due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. The conditions remained clear for most of the game before becoming slightly hazy in the later innings.

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