Yankees Ace Fried Lands on IL; Rodón Set for Season Debut

The New York Yankees are facing a mixed bag of news regarding their pitching rotation. Ace left-hander Max Fried has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to bone bruising in his left elbow, a setback that will sideline him after he already missed time earlier this season with a similar issue. Fried, who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract before the 2022 season, has posted a 4-4 record with a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts this year, pitching 86.1 innings and striking out 79 batters.

However, the team is poised to welcome back another key left-handed pitcher, Carlos Rodón. Rodón, in the fourth year of a six-year, $162 million deal, has had a difficult start to his Yankees tenure, battling elbow surgery and inflammation that has limited him to just nine appearances this season. He holds a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA in those starts.

Rodón has recently completed two rehab starts in the minor leagues, pitching seven innings, allowing three runs, and striking out 11. Initially slated for another rehab outing, manager Aaron Boone has now decided Rodón is ready to rejoin the major league club. He is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Despite these pitching developments, the Yankees currently sit in second place in the AL East, 5.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. They hold the top wild-card spot in the American League, maintaining a comfortable lead over the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.