Jul 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
The Yankees were finally on the cusp of having their “Big 4” starters healthy, with Carlos Rodon’s return from a six-week stay on the injured list due to elbow inflammation. But a day before the veteran southpaw’s start, another notable lefty, Max Fried, was placed on the 15-day IL with a left elbow bone bruise.
It is the same issue that sidelined Fried for more than two months earlier this season, and he only lasted five starts when he did eventually get back.
This puts the remainder of the 32-year-old’s season in jeopardy, as any semblance of his previous IL stint would mean he would not return until the World Series, should the Yankees make it that far. Luckily for the Bronx Bombers, they have one of the best rotations in baseball, even with the onslaught of injuries that have plagued it this season.
Gerrit Cole started the year late after completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and Rodon began the year late after undergoing offseason elbow surgery. He struggled across nine starts before that elbow inflammation forced him on the shelf. Still, Cam Schlittler is one of the favorites to win the American League Cy Young Award, and Yankee starters have combined to have the lowest ERA (3.38) in all of Major League Baseball.
The Yankees were on the precipice of having to send one of their starters to the bullpen upon Rodon’s return, most likely Ryan Weathers or Will Warren. Now, that decision does not have to be made, as Warren will likely be pushed back to start Wednesday’s game — Fried’s place in the rotation — in Baltimore against the Orioles.
New York’s starting pitching has had to do some heavy lifting as of late to support an offense that has been out of whack for weeks without Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton. Only the Los Angeles Angels have scored fewer runs than the Yankees over the last 30 games.
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