Max Fried Returns to Catch But Yankees Remain Cautious on Progress

Max Fried took a positive step in his recovery on Monday, as he began playing catch for the first time since being sidelined with a left elbow bone bruise ten days ago. However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone tempered expectations, indicating that recent imaging of the left-hander’s elbow did not reveal sufficient healing to warrant a full ramp-up in activity.

Boone emphasized, “There’s nothing really that would say he can start the ramp-up process yet,” before the Yankees edged the Royals 4-3 in their series opener at Kauffman Stadium. While Fried is allowed to keep his arm in motion with light catch, he is not yet prepared to throw at an intensity that would challenge his injury.

“Don’t read too far into that,” Boone cautioned. “He’s been doing plyos and stuff. He’s had a pretty good week overall as far as symptoms and feeling pretty good and responding to everything pretty well. But he’s not at a point to where we can start ramping him up yet.”

Fried was initially diagnosed with the injury on May 15, with the Yankees stating that further imaging would be conducted in a few weeks or when he is asymptomatic to evaluate when he can resume throwing.

On a different note, Carlos Rodón is anticipated to make his start on Friday against the Athletics after a slight delay due to Saturday’s rainout. This adjustment allows Gerrit Cole to pitch on his regular fifth day on Wednesday. The Yankees have scheduled off-days on Thursday and the following Monday, enabling Cole to pitch on his fifth day this turn and on his seventh day next time. Rodón, who threw a bullpen session on Monday, will be taking the mound on his eighth day Friday before returning to a six-day schedule thereafter.

In injury news, Giancarlo Stanton is set for another round of imaging on his right calf on Tuesday to assess whether his strain has healed sufficiently for him to begin a running progression. Boone noted, “I think he was actually going outside to do some of his agility stuff today. Hopefully, with the next round of imaging, we’re in a position to start ramping up the running.”

Additionally, Clarke Schmidt will transition his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery to New York next week after spending the initial two months of the season in Tampa. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions but has yet to face hitters, and he could become a key contributor in the second half of the season.

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