The New York Yankees announced on Friday afternoon that Max Fried, currently the team’s number one starter, is landing on the 15-day injured list. According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Fried has a “left elbow bone bruise” and will not throw until the next round of imaging, which will likely come in the next few weeks. The news comes after Fried left after the third inning of Wednesday’s 7-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, a game in which he gave up three runs (all earned) in three innings.
From the Yankees:
LHP Max Fried underwent an MRI and CT scan on Thursday that was followed up by an examination with Yankees Team Physician, Dr. Chris Ahmad. He will be placed on the 15-day I.L. after initial findings revealed a left elbow bone bruise. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will…
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 15, 2026
Bad Time for a Max Fried Injury
The 32-year-old has a 3.21 ERA, 50 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.00, and a brWAR of 1.6, all of which are in the top 17 in the American League thus far in 2026. He also leads the entire league in innings pitched with 61 2/3. More importantly, Fried has been an absolute force on the mound and, along with Cam Schlittler, makes up one of the best 1-2 starting pitcher duos in all of Major League Baseball. The Yankees just got Carlos Rodon back from the injury list less than a week ago, making the loss of Fried that much more painful.
Another Injured Starter
The Yankees still have one of the best rotations in the league, though. Even without Cole and Clarke Schmidt (as well as Rodon up until this week), New York’s starting pitchers have the 3rd-best ERA in MLB (3.14), the sixth-most strikeouts (240), and the fourth-least home runs given up (20). Perhaps not as boldly as Schlittler, 26-year-old Will Warren is turning into a very reliable and consistent starter. Through his first nine starts, he has a 5-1 record, a 3.42 ERA, and 59 strikeouts over 49 1/3 innings. Left-hander Ryan Weathers is also putting up very solid numbers, posting an ERA of 3.00 with 54 strikeouts across 45 innings.
Still, this is the first time in his entire tenure in the Bronx that the Yankees will be without Fried. In his time with New York, he has a 2.94 ERA and 23 wins in just 42 starts. At this point, all the Yankees and their fans can do is hope that they don’t lose Fried for a period longer than a few weeks.
Main Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
