The New York Yankees could welcome back left-hander Max Fried from the injured list to start one of Saturday’s doubleheader games against the Boston Red Sox. Fried threw a bullpen session Thursday as he recovers from a left elbow bone bruise.
New York holds a 2.5-game lead over Boston in the American League standings heading into a four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Cam Schlittler is set to start Friday’s opener, while Saturday features a doubleheader to make up a previously postponed matchup against their divisional rivals. New York placed Fried on the injured list on 17 August, but Thursday’s side session was designed to determine his readiness to take the mound.
YES Network reporter Meredith Marakovits outlined the situation regarding the rotation options for Saturday’s double bill. She reported: “Speaking of question marks, the [Yankees] have still not named a starter for both games of the doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox come Saturday. It’s going to be Carlos Rodon in one of them, it could be Max Fried in the other one. He is definitely an option”
Marakovits provided further detail on how the team plans to evaluate the left-hander following his bullpen session: “He threw a side session out in the bullpen. They were going to see how he comes through that. If he comes through that, it seems like the plan would be to hand the ball to Max Fried.”
Injuries have limited Fried’s availability this season. Still, his presence provides New York with elite starter quality.
Across 15 starts in 2026, Fried has logged a 4-4 record with a 2.81 ERA and 79 strikeouts over 86.1 innings pitched. Should Fried return alongside Carlos Rodón on Saturday, it would mark the first time all season the Yankees have had their top four starters — Schlittler, Cole, Fried, and Rodón — fully healthy at the same time. Maintaining that pitching stability will be vital as the Yankees look to extend their lead over Boston in the AL standings.
