Max Fried was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Yankees after a bone bruise in his left elbow, with imaging to be reviewed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and a return timeline to be set after repeat scans.
NEW YORK — Max Fried didn’t hide the frustration. But standing before Friday’s Subway Series opener against the Mets at Citi Field, the Yankees left-hander made clear he was bracing for missed time after a bone bruise was found in his left elbow.
Fried will be sidelined at least two weeks and perhaps longer. as New York places him on the 15-day injured list.. He described the situation as disappointing, while also relieved by what the early look suggests.. “Definitely bummed that I’m going to have to be missing some time. but overall happy that it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything serious. ” Fried said.. “No surgery required or anything like that.. So. never want to go on the IL and miss games. but also understand that the long-term outlook still looks good.”
The timetable, though, is still unsettled.. Fried underwent an MRI and CT scan on Thursday. a day after he cut short a start at Baltimore following the third inning.. Yankees team physician Dr.. Christopher Ahmad also examined him.. New York said the imaging will be reviewed by Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr.. Neal ElAttrache. and repeat imaging will be taken in a few weeks or when Fried is asymptomatic to determine when he can resume throwing.. Asked about what that means for a return date. Fried said. “I think we’re looking at a little bit of an ambiguous timeline.”
What adds another layer of attention is Fried’s baseball history. He had Tommy John surgery in 2014, and he said his reconstructed UCL is not injured. “Ligament looks good,” Fried said.
Fried’s season-to-date has been productive. The 32-year-old is 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts after going 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA and making the All-Star team in his first season after leaving Atlanta to sign a $218 million, eight-year contract with the Yankees.
With Fried now out, New York’s rotation depth becomes part of the immediate conversation.. Carlos Rodón rejoined the Yankees’ rotation last weekend after recovering from surgery last October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur.. Gerrit Cole is nearing a return from elbow ligament replacement surgery in March 2025; Boone said the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner has made five minor league rehab starts and will make two or three more.. Cole is scheduled to start Saturday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.. The Yankees also list Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers among their rotation options.
Then there’s the broader injury picture. Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, has been in the minors for much of the season and was placed on the injured list last Friday because of right shoulder inflammation.
The picture the Yankees face is shaped by timing and imaging: Fried’s MRI and CT scan followed a shortened start at Baltimore. and New York’s plan for repeat imaging—either in a few weeks or when he’s asymptomatic—sets up an uncertain throwing schedule. while at the same time the organization’s other rotation pieces. including Rodón and a rehab path for Cole. are already defined by their own respective recovery steps.
For now, Fried’s focus stays on getting through the next phase without surgery.. While he acknowledged the sting of missing games. he also pointed to the medical direction he’s been given—especially with ligament status described as good—and the Yankees will wait for the next round of tests to decide when he can take the mound again.
Max Fried New York Yankees injured list bone bruise left elbow MRI CT scan Dr. Christopher Ahmad Dr. Neal ElAttrache Tommy John surgery rotation depth Carlos Rodón Gerrit Cole Luis Gil