Max Fried took another step toward a return Sunday, throwing 36 pitches in his second two-inning simulated game as the Yankees continue to map out his comeback from a left elbow injury.
The left-hander worked before New York wrapped up its three-game series against the Twins, facing third baseman Ryan McMahon and catcher Ali Sánchez. Aaron Boone said Fried’s next simulated outing is likely to come Thursday or Friday, with the pitch count expected to rise. After that, a minor league game could be the next stop.
Fried has been sidelined since May 13, when he exited a start in Baltimore after three innings. His velocity had dropped noticeably, and he finished that outing having thrown just 34 of 61 pitches for strikes.
He later underwent an MRI and CT scan that were reviewed by Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
This was Fried’s second time facing hitters in the buildup. On Tuesday, he threw about 30 pitches to McMahon and Trent Grisham, who were both on the injured list at the time.
“It’s been good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s been a good run-up for him and obviously another step today so hopefully we’ll obviously get closer by definition, but I know he’s felt really good.
He’s recovered really well in all his throwing stuff. Even going back to when he left that game in Baltimore, it was pretty short order where he was doing pretty well, so that was encouraging.”
The Yankees got that work in just two days after placing Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Fried, Gerrit Cole and Rodón still haven’t all been active for New York at the same time because of injuries.
Before the setback, Fried had put together a strong start to his first season in pinstripes. He is 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts, a year after going 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA and making the All-Star team. He signed with New York in December 2024 on an eight-year, $218 million deal after leaving Atlanta as a free agent.
“Feeling healthy, so it’s been really encouraging,” Freid said before Saturday’s 11-4 loss to Minnesota. “Obviously, I would love to be able to just snap my fingers and be back out there. But with being a starting pitcher, it takes a little bit to have the build-up.”
New York’s rotation entered Sunday with a 3.54 ERA, fourth-best among the 30 teams. Over the past nine games, though, Yankees starters have posted a 5.76 ERA.
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