Yankees Update: Fried Progresses in Rehab, Wells on Track to Return, Stanton to Undergo Imaging

Lefty Max Fried is making progress in his rehab from a left elbow bone bruise that landed him on the 15-day injured list. Manager Aaron Boone told reporters, including Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, that Fried is scheduled to throw off a mound tomorrow following recent imaging that showed improvement in his elbow. Fried had posted a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts before the injury, continuing his dominant 2023 season, which included 4.8 WAR and a fourth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting.

The Yankees’ starting rotation has held strong in Fried’s absence. Since May 14th, New York starters have a 3.49 ERA, the fourth-best in baseball. Cam Schlittler remains a Cy Young contender with a strong season, while Carlos Rodón and Will Warren have posted ERAs of 3.38 or better in that span. Gerrit Cole, still adjusting after Tommy John surgery, has returned to normal velocity but hasn’t regained his previous strikeout effectiveness. Ryan Weathers has struggled, posting a 6.44 ERA in his last five starts.

The Yankees aim to build a playoff rotation around Schlittler, Fried, Cole, and Rodón. With Fried expected back in July, the team will proceed with caution in his recovery. An exact return date will become clearer once Fried begins a rehab assignment, which starts tomorrow with mound work.

Austin Wells is expected to play in rehab games this week after being placed on the IL on June 6th with cervical headaches. An MRI on June 8th came back negative, putting the 24-year-old on track for a return later this month. Wells had a 53 wRC+ in 169 plate appearances this season, a sharp decline from last year’s 94. His .359 expected slugging percentage suggests room for improvement, but his current performance has left the Yankees in need of a catching upgrade at the trade deadline.

Giancarlo Stanton will undergo imaging tomorrow on his ailing calf, per a team update relayed by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Boone was asked if Stanton is back to square one in his rehab and responded, “I don’t think so, but I don’t know that.” Given Stanton’s history of injuries, a longer recovery timeline seems likely.

The Yankees hit the road for a three-game series against the Tigers starting Tuesday. The team remains in first place in the AL East, but with multiple key players on the mend, their margin for error is shrinking.