Left-handed pitcher Max Fried, now in his ninth Major League Baseball season and first with the New York Yankees, has established himself as a top ace. Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres, Fried was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2014, making his <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB debut in 2017. During his time with Atlanta, he earned two All-Star selections, two Gold Glove awards, and placed among the top five in National League Cy Young Award voting twice. Fried also played a key role in the Braves’ 2021 World Series championship, their first in over 20 years.

Following his success with Atlanta, the Yankees signed Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract last offseason, making him the highest-paid left-handed pitcher in MLB history. After Gerrit Cole’s UCL injury in March, Fried has become the frontline starter for New York’s rotation.

Injury Details and Current Condition

During Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, Fried left early due to a blister on his left index finger, exiting after only three innings. In the series finale on Sunday, Fried provided an update, expressing cautious optimism about his recovery. He noted that while it is too soon to confirm his availability for the upcoming game against the Cubs, the blister is improving steadily.

“The blister is moving in the right direction and getting better.” —Max Fried, Yankees pitcher

Fried’s Performance and Playoff Implications

Selected to his third All-Star team last week, Fried currently leads all MLB pitchers with 11 wins. Over 20 starts this season, he has maintained a 2.43 ERA and struck out 113 batters across 122 innings. His contributions have been vital to the Yankees’ success, and any prolonged injury could affect their momentum as they push toward the second half of the season and the playoffs.