Yankees manager Aaron Boone gives update on injured ace Max Fried

The New York Yankees have spent much of the 2026 MLB season dealing with injuries throughout their pitching staff, but recent weeks have finally brought some positive news. Both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón have returned from the injured list and are back contributing to the rotation. Unfortunately, before the Yankees could get fully healthy, another major piece of their pitching staff went down.

Left-hander Max Fried, who emerged as the Yankees ace last season and entered 2026 as the unquestioned leader of the rotation, landed on the injured list and left a significant void in New York’s starting staff. On Friday, however, manager Aaron Boone provided the most encouraging update yet regarding Fried’s recovery.

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Fried Set for First Mound Session

According to Boone, Fried is scheduled to throw from a mound on Saturday in what is being described as a touch-and-feel session. While it may not sound like a major development, it represents an important milestone in Fried’s recovery process. It will be the first time the veteran left-hander has thrown off a mound since being placed on the injured list.

Pitchers often progress through several stages before returning to game action, and getting back on the mound is one of the first significant steps toward eventually facing hitters and beginning a rehab assignment.

Encouraging, But Questions Remain

Although the update is undoubtedly positive, the Yankees are still being cautious with their star pitcher. Boone did not provide a firm timetable for Fried’s return, and the organization appears content to let the recovery process unfold naturally rather than rushing him back.

That’s understandable considering Fried’s importance to the club. The Yankees have postseason aspirations and know they will need their ace healthy for the stretch run. For now, Fried’s mound session offers a reason for optimism.

The Yankees have already welcomed Cole and Rodón back into the fold, and getting Fried back would give New York one of the deepest and most dangerous rotations in baseball. While there is still work to be done before he returns to the big-league mound, Friday’s update was a clear step in the right direction for both Fried and the Yankees.

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