New York Yankees fans were left with more questions than answers Wednesday night when ace left-hander Max Fried exited his start against the Baltimore Orioles after just three innings.

Fried, who signed a massive free-agent deal with the Yankees last offseason, was pulled following a rocky third inning in which Baltimore scored twice. The 32-year-old immediately headed down the tunnel toward the clubhouse, and the Yankees quickly had Paul Blackburn warming up in the bullpen. As of now, there's no official word on whether Fried is dealing with a physical issue.

The early exit is a concerning development for the Yankees, especially given Fried's recent struggles. In his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers, he allowed five runs over six innings. On Wednesday, he surrendered three runs on five hits before being lifted.

Fried has a well-documented history of blister problems on his left finger, which have landed him on the injured list four times between 2018 and 2023 during his tenure with the Atlanta Braves. He also took an extended break around the All-Star break last season to manage the issue.

Despite the recent rough patch, Fried has been a reliable arm for the Yankees this season. He was named an All-Star in 2025—his first year in pinstripes—and entered Wednesday's game with a solid 3.21 ERA across 10 starts. For a team with championship aspirations, his health and performance will be critical down the stretch.