Yankees fans, hold your breath—ace left-hander Max Fried was pulled from Wednesday's start in Baltimore after just three innings and 61 pitches due to left elbow posterior soreness. The team confirmed the concerning update following a game that had already been moved up several hours to dodge forecasted storms in the area.
Fried wasn't at his sharpest, allowing three runs and five hits before giving way to reliever Paul Blackburn in the fourth. While it's too early to know the severity, any elbow issue for a pitcher of Fried's caliber is a red flag—especially with the season still unfolding. Through nine starts, the southpaw had been a steady force, boasting a 4-2 record and a sharp 2.91 ERA over 58 2/3 innings.
For Yankees faithful and fantasy owners alike, this is one to watch closely. Elbow soreness can range from a minor precaution to something more serious, and with the team eyeing a deep postseason run, they'll likely err on the side of caution. Stay tuned for updates as the story develops—and in the meantime, make sure your game-day gear is ready for whatever the season throws next.
