Yankees Spring Training: Max Fried Preps for Opening Day, Lagrange Impresses Before Reassignment

As the Yankees gear up for the regular season, Thursday’s spring training action in Tampa provided a mix of highs and lows for the team. Max Fried, the Yankees’ key starting pitcher, faced challenges in his final outing before taking the mound against the Giants next week. The left-hander surrendered three runs on five hits and issued four walks, but he maintained a positive outlook on the experience.

“Definitely not sharp, but also the perfect amount of being able to make that adjustment,” Fried reflected after the game. He appreciated the opportunity to test his skills against a Baltimore Orioles lineup that closely resembles what he will encounter in the regular season. “I would rather, in this situation, have a little bit more traffic on the bases, taking the chances,” he explained. This approach allowed him to push his limits and gain valuable feedback without the pressure of a results-oriented environment.

In a noteworthy development, Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced the reassignment of young right-hander Carlos Lagrange to minor league camp. Just a month ago, this would have seemed like a mere formality; at just 22 years old and with only 16 Double-A appearances, Lagrange was not initially viewed as a candidate to break camp with a team focused on a World Series run.

However, Lagrange’s impressive performance throughout the Grapefruit League changed the narrative. He showcased his 100-plus mph fastball while demonstrating improved command of his change-up and slider, making a strong case for his future with the organization. “He made it a difficult decision, which coming into this wouldn’t have even thought there was a decision,” Boone stated. “He definitely caught everyone’s attention. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is impacting us early, middle, later part of the season. I don’t know. But I can just tell you we’re all very excited about his continued development and what he could mean to our team at some point.”

Throughout spring training, the Yankees treated Lagrange like a starter, recognizing his potential to remain in that role at the major league level, provided he continues to command his secondary pitches effectively. With the current depth of major league starting pitching and reinforcements on the horizon, Lagrange’s emergence could be a game-changer for the Yankees, as they look to harness the power of his 102 mph fastball in the near future.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.