The New York Yankees received a concerning injury update on Wednesday when left-handed ace Max Fried was pulled from his start against the Baltimore Orioles after just three innings due to elbow soreness.

Fried, a three-time All-Star who joined the Yankees in the 2025 season, exited abruptly after Baltimore scored twice in the third inning. The 32-year-old walked straight up the tunnel as the Yankees quickly had Paul Blackburn warming in the bullpen while the team batted in the fourth. Fried finished the outing allowing three runs on five hits, pushing his ERA to 3.21 across 10 starts this season.

The Yankees have an off day Thursday, and Fried is expected to be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad in New York. This marks a concerning development for a pitcher who has weathered recurring blister issues on his left finger—a problem that sent him to the injured list four times from 2018 to 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.

Fried's early exit comes on the heels of a rough outing in his previous start at Milwaukee, where he allowed five runs in six innings. For Yankees fans, the elbow soreness raises immediate questions about the rotation's depth heading into the season's critical stretch. Stay tuned for updates as the team awaits the results of Thursday's examination.