Yankees get crucial Max Fried injury update

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Yankees get crucial Max Fried injury update

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Josh Davis, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jul 4, 2026 3:02 PM ET

The New York Yankees received quite the encouraging Max Fried injury update on Saturday, giving their rotation a clearer path forward as the club continues to manage setbacks.

Fried landed on the 15-day injured list on May 16, retroactive to May 14, with a left elbow bone bruise, but he now has a structured throwing progression ahead. New York entered Saturday at 49-38 after snapping a seven-game losing streak Friday, yet still trailed the Tampa Bay Rays by four games in the AL East, making every rotation update more important.

New York Daily News Sports’ Gary Phillips posted on X, formerly Twitter, and shared manager Aaron Boone’s latest timeline for Fried.

“Max Fried will throw 35 pitches over 2 ups tomorrow. If that goes well, Aaron Boone mentioned he could throw 40-something pitches on Friday in another live and ‘then a rehab’ start.

Fried is still a few weeks away from potentially returning, and the #Yankees will start discussing where they want his pitch count to be when he’s activated as he progresses.

Fried said he felt ‘completely normal’ after his last live, and he’s worked on some mechanical tweaks.”

Max Fried will throw 35 pitches over 2 ups tomorrow. If that goes well, Aaron Boone mentioned he could throw 40-something pitches on Friday in another live and “then a rehab” start.

Fried is still a few weeks away from potentially returning, and the #Yankees will start…

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) July 4, 2026

That update provides the club something more concrete than a vague recovery window. Fried will throw Sunday and could advance to another live session next Friday if his arm responds well. From there, the Yankees can map out a minor league rehab assignment.

The pitch-count question will matter once the veteran southpaw nears activation. New York must decide whether to bring him back with restrictions or wait until he can provide enough length to protect the bullpen.

With Carlos Rodon also sidelined by left elbow inflammation, Fried’s progress carries extra weight. If he clears the next steps without issue, the Yankees could regain a front-line arm later this month as they try to steady the rotation and stay within reach in the division race.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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