Max Fried Injury Update: Yankees Left-Hander Could Start Soon
New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried has been managing a recurring left elbow bone bruise throughout the 2026 season, with the initial injury occurring in mid-May and a subsequent episode in mid-August. Recent updates indicate that both the team and Fried consider this latest issue to be more manageable.
Manager Aaron Boone announced that Fried could potentially start on Saturday after successfully completing four innings of live batting practice. This marks a significant improvement, suggesting that a minimum 15-day injured-list stay is a realistic expectation. Fried's original injury on May 13 led to a two-month absence, but he returned on July 22 and performed well, posting a 1.82 ERA over five starts.
Following his last outing on August 13, where he allowed one run in five innings, Fried experienced renewed soreness, resulting in his placement on the 15-day IL on August 17. An MRI showed only low-level inflammation this time, prompting Boone to clarify that the current situation is not as severe as the previous one. Fried has been working on correcting mechanical issues that contribute to the stress on his elbow, and if he starts on Saturday, it would coincide with his eligibility for activation, providing a much-needed boost to the Yankees' pitching staff.
