New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that Max Fried will not pitch in next week’s Midsummer Classic in Atlanta to better manage his workload for the second half of the season. The decision affects both Fried’s availability and the Yankees’ pitching strategy as they prepare for crucial upcoming games.
Fried is scheduled to start on Saturday in the second game of the Yankees’ series against the Chicago Cubs. Participating in the All-Star game on Tuesday would have required significant rest, delaying his return to the mound for that series. As a result, Fried’s absence in the All-Star lineup prompted a reshuffle in pitching assignments.
Adjusting Pitching Roles as Season Resumes in Atlanta
The Yankees begin their second half with an important series in Atlanta against Fried’s former team, the Braves. Although the team has not officially named their starters for the Friday matchup, Fried is expected to take the mound, emphasizing his key role in the rotation. To fill Fried’s spot for the All-Star game, Carlos Rodon was chosen as his replacement. Rodon has posted a 10-6 record this season with a 3.08 ERA and 135 strikeouts, recently throwing an 11-0 shutout against the Cubs.
Fried’s impressive season includes an 11-2 record and a 2.27 ERA, making him a strong candidate to start for the American League despite competition from Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal. His history with the Braves, where he spent his first eight major league seasons, would have made him a fan favorite in Atlanta’s midsummer event.
Along with Fried, several other AL pitchers who were originally named to the All-Star roster—Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet, Rangers’ Jacob deGrom, and Cubs’ Mathew Boyd—are also being replaced due to scheduled starts on Saturday. Their replacements include Tigers’ Casey Mize, Royals’ Carlos Estevez, and Brewers’ rookie Jacob Misiorowski.
Aaron Boone’s Focus on Fried’s Innings to Avoid Overuse
Fried threw a career-high 185.1 innings during the 2022 regular season and remains a vital part of the Yankees’ rotation as they push toward the playoffs. So far this year, Fried has pitched 119 innings across 19 starts, prompting Boone to carefully monitor his total workload.
The team is mindful that Fried’s highest total including postseason innings came in 2021 with 193.2 innings. Boone emphasized the importance of balancing pitching loads carefully throughout the season.
“Hopefully (Fried’s) in a position to where I hope he breaks that 185 (innings mark) this year and into the playoffs,” Boone said. “But it’s certainly something we’ll be mindful of and pay attention to. Not only Max but all of our pitchers and how they’re recovering during the year, the value of getting them an extra day here and there. It’s things we all pay attention to at different levels.”
With the Yankees already facing season-ending injuries to starters Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, and with Luis Gil and Ryan Yarborough currently in rehab assignments, keeping Fried healthy is vital to maintaining pitching depth for the stretch run.
The Impact of Fried’s Absence on Fans and Team Strategy
Max Fried’s absence from the All-Star game has disappointed many fans who were eager to see the Braves veteran pitch in his former home city. His strong performance this season and connections to Atlanta made him a natural draw for local supporters. For the Yankees, the move underlines a growing trend of teams prioritizing player health and long-term success over midseason accolades, especially for key pitchers.
As the All-Star break passes, attention will turn to Fried’s ability to sustain his performance in the latter half of the season, where the Yankees hope his arm remains a stabilizing force amid an injury-affected pitching staff. The careful management strategy reflects an awareness of Fried’s importance as the Yankees chase postseason success in a highly competitive American League.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Max Fried wear 54?
A. Max Fried has joined the Yankees! He’s going to keep wearing number 54, the same as he did in Atlanta.
Q. What is Max Fried’s religion?
A. Fried spent his childhood in Encino, California, as the middle child of Carrie and Jonathan Fried. He is Jewish. His younger brother, Jake, who is also a pitcher, went to the University of Arizona.
Q. Is Max Fried an ace?
A. The Yankees plan to have their star left-handed pitcher, Max Fried, play as they try to stop their six-game losing streak. Fried has a 10-2 record this season with a 2.13 ERA. In 24 games (including 19 starts) against the Mets, his record is 9-5 with a 2.50 ERA.
Q. What religion is Max Fried?
A. Fried spent his childhood in Encino, California, where he was born. He is the middle son of Carrie and Jonathan Fried and is Jewish. His younger brother, Jake, who is a pitcher too, studied at the University of Arizona.