New York Yankees lefty Max Fried has landed on the 15-day injured list with a bone bruise in his left elbow, the team announced Friday. Fried exited Wednesday's start against the Baltimore Orioles after three innings.
Return Timeline Uncertain
Fried's exact return timeline is not yet clear, but the Yankees said it will be a "few weeks" before he gets follow-up imaging that will determine when he can resume throwing.
Manager Aaron Boone said after the game: "Felt like early on he was having a hard time getting loose and getting to that point. It was taking him several pitches in the inning to get to his (release) point."
Boone added: "He was feeling a little something in between starts, not all that abnormal to what he deals with throughout the season ... In talking with him, (I'm) not that concerned."
Fried's Recent Struggles
Fried labored through three innings Wednesday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. In his last three starts, Fried has allowed 11 runs on 17 hits and seven walks in only 14 innings. His control has been an issue much of the season.
Fried abandoned his windup four starts ago and began pitching exclusively from the stretch.
Fried said via the New York Daily News: "I'm not too worried about a super long-term thing. If I can, I would love to be able to make my next start, but we'll see." He added his elbow feels "hyper-extended or banged."
Rotation Outlook
The Yankees welcomed Carlos Rodón back from the injured list this past weekend and are expected to get Gerrit Cole back after two or three more rehab starts. Cole is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Luis Gil is on the Triple-A injured list with shoulder inflammation. The Yankees have not indicated they will speed up Cole's return should Fried miss time.
Rodríguez, one of the team's top prospects, made two spot starts earlier this season and could be called upon to bridge the gap between Fried and Cole's return if needed.
Entering play Wednesday, New York's rotation ranked second in baseball with a 3.06 ERA and first with 5.6 WAR. Losing Fried for even a few starts could be a significant blow in what figures to be a tightly contested AL East race.