New Max Fried Update Reveals Yankees Star's Return Date After Elbow Injury Rehab

New York Yankees left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried, who has been out since May 14 with a bone bruise in his throwing elbow, will start in Game 2 of his team's home doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

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During an interview on the Talkin' Yanks podcast (17:43 mark) that dropped Tuesday morning, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the plan was for Fried to make a second rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Fried made a rehab start last Friday, throwing three innings (52 pitches) while allowing two earned runs and five hits and striking out three. Boone said Fried "looks really good" and would throw 60 pitches in his second rehab start.

From there, the hope was for Fried to make a start at the Chicago White Sox next week (the Yanks play in the Windy City from Monday through Wednesday).

"Obviously not all the way built up at that point," he said. "But, hopefully, in a spot where we can build him [up] in his next outing."

However, it appears plans have changed after the Yankees' home game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday was postponed due to a rainout. It has been made up as part of a day-night doubleheader.

Will Warren was scheduled to pitch for the Yankees on Tuesday, with Gerrit Cole taking the ball on Wednesday.

Cole will still pitch on his scheduled day, but now Warren will be skipped once as Fried works his way back to full strength against Pittsburgh. One can guess Fried may throw around 60 pitches given that was the previous target.

Fried's return is a huge win for the Yankees. Last year, the MLB leader in victories (19) posted a 2.86 ERA over 32 starts. He was the Yankees' staff ace, registering 189 strikeouts in his 195.1 innings as well. Fried also won a Gold Glove and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young race.

This year, Fried has gone 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts (50 strikeouts in 61.2 innings). He had a 2.09 ERA through his first seven starts before struggling over his last three, so one can surmise the elbow injury had something to do with his on-field issues.

A healthy Fried would be a great asset for a Yankees team trying to chase the Tampa Bay Rays for first in the American League East (and AL overall) and hold off the third-place Boston Red Sox, winners of 14 straight.