Max Fried, the Yankees lefty, is scheduled to throw a side session on Saturday, and if it goes well, he could be back from the 15-day injured list as early as next week. This comes after his last start, a 1-0 loss to Seattle, where he pitched five innings before being placed on the IL on Monday, retroactive to last Friday.
McMahon’s Thumb Sprain Is a Real Bummer
Fried isn’t the only Yankees player dealing with an IL stint. Third baseman Ryan McMahon was placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 2 left thumb sprain Friday. He says he will only miss the minimum amount of time, telling reporters, “Not great news. Could have been worse.” He added, “Obviously I’m not happy with it, but thankful that most likely no surgery and just the minimal time.” McMahon got hurt trying to stretch a single into a double during Wednesday’s 5-3 win in Baltimore, jamming his thumb on the play at second base. He felt fine in the field but was struggling to swing, even though he took some in the batting cage. “Me going out there at 50% probably wasn’t the best,” he admitted. Manager Aaron Boone said he didn’t want to “create anything habit-wise that’s bad, so just felt like probably the right thing to do here.” McMahon, who is hitting .218 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 108 games, also missed 10 games earlier this season with a throat infection. Max Schuemann was called up from Triple-A to fill the spot, though his stay might be short if Cody Bellinger, dealing with a left hamstring strain, returns Sunday after his minor league rehab games.
Fried’s Path Back After That Seattle Game
For Fried, this isn’t his first trip to the IL this season with this injury. He missed 57 games from May 14 to July 22 with the same issue after exiting a start in Baltimore after three innings on May 13. “Before, it was definitely more intense, more pain,” Fried said, comparing the two injuries. “I would say that it felt similar, but on a smaller scale. I just wanted to be as transparent as I could be with the medical staff and coaching staff.” He’s currently 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts this season, and had an impressive 0-1 record with a 1.82 ERA in five starts since coming off his first IL stint. “We’re encouraged,” Boone said about Fried’s progress, noting that he “probably could have made his last start maybe, but hopefully this gives (it) a chance to calm down a little bit, too.”
With the Yankees opening a three-game series with Toronto, having key players like McMahon sidelined and Fried returning from injury is definitely a hurdle. They’ll need everyone healthy and on point as they push through the season. Keep an eye on that side session Saturday, Emerald City. It could clear the way for Fried’s return next week!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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