The New York Yankees are facing a significant setback as left-handed pitcher Max Fried prepares for a stint on the injured list due to a bone bruise on his left elbow. The team announced Friday that Fried will be placed on the 15-day IL, with his recovery timeline expected to be at least two weeks—and potentially longer.

The 32-year-old ace underwent an MRI and CT scan on Thursday, just one day after he was forced to cut short his start against the Baltimore Orioles following the third inning. Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad examined Fried before the decision was made to seek a second opinion from Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who will review the imaging. The Yankees plan to conduct repeat imaging in a few weeks—or once Fried becomes asymptomatic—to determine when he can safely resume throwing. A more precise return date will be established at that point.

This injury comes at a critical time for Fried, who has posted a solid 4-3 record with a 3.21 ERA across 10 starts this season. The left-hander joined the Yankees last year after leaving the Atlanta Braves, signing a massive $218 million, eight-year contract. In his first season in pinstripes, Fried went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA and earned an All-Star nod, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of the rotation.

Fortunately, the Yankees have some reinforcements on the horizon. Carlos Rodón rejoined the rotation last weekend after recovering from October surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and shave a bone spur. Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole is nearing a return from elbow ligament replacement surgery performed in March 2025. The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner has already completed five minor league rehab starts, and manager Aaron Boone indicated that Cole will need two or three more before being activated. Cole is scheduled to start Saturday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

For now, the Yankees' rotation will lean on Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers to fill the gap. The team is also dealing with the absence of Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, who has spent much of the season in the minors and landed on the injured list last Friday due to right shoulder inflammation.

As the Yankees navigate this latest challenge, fans will be watching closely to see how the rotation holds up—and when Fried can return to the mound. For now, it's a waiting game, with the team prioritizing his long-term health over a quick comeback.