Max Fried Set for Saturday Mound Return; Cody Bellinger Reinstated Sunday

Yankees left-hander Max Fried will throw off a mound Saturday for the first time since his August 18 injury recurrence.

New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday, marking his first time pitching from the rubber since landing on the injured list Tuesday. The 32-year-old southpaw is managing a recurrence of a bone bruise in his left elbow, an ailment that previously sidelined him for over two months earlier in the 2026 season. Despite the setback, Fried has maintained a 2.81 ERA across 15 starts this year. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that if the Saturday session concludes without issue, the pitcher could advance to a live batting practice session early next week.

Fried expressed optimism regarding his recovery timeline, targeting a return to the starting rotation after the minimum 15-day stint. The veteran pitcher noted that this specific setback is less severe than the initial injury and attributed the flare-up to mechanical timing issues. During his recovery, he is focusing on his follow-through to prevent further elbow stress. Fried stated on Friday, prior to the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, that he has been fighting his mechanics throughout the season and intends to use this period to isolate and correct the problem.

Cody Bellinger Rehab and Roster Shifts

Cody Bellinger is slated for activation this Sunday for the series finale against Toronto. The All-Star outfielder has been sidelined since July 26 with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. His rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre began Thursday, where he recorded a 1-for-3 performance as the designated hitter. Bellinger is scheduled to play left field on Friday and will have a scheduled day off Saturday before joining the major league roster.

His return is expected to trigger a roster move involving rookie outfielder Spencer Jones. The 25-year-old Jones is currently slashing .227 with six home runs and a .712 OPS. In Thursday’s victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Jones tallied three hits, including a home run. Boone noted that the club would likely finalize the decision to option Jones to Triple-A following Saturday’s contest, provided no other injuries occur.

Ryan McMahon Sidelined with Thumb Sprain

The Yankees placed 31-year-old third baseman Ryan McMahon on the injured list following a Grade 2 left thumb sprain. McMahon sustained the injury while sliding into second base during Wednesday’s win against Baltimore. Although Boone observed McMahon taking swings on Friday and described the results as "pretty good," the team opted for the IL stint to prevent the infielder from developing poor habits while playing through soreness.

McMahon, recognized as a plus defender, currently holds a .216 batting average with 10 home runs and a .649 OPS this season. He expressed frustration at missing upcoming series against Toronto and the Boston Red Sox. In a corresponding move, the Yankees promoted utilityman Max Schuemann from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill the vacant roster spot.

Pitching Mechanics and Recovery Outlook

Fried’s return to the rotation is contingent on his ability to maintain his delivery without elbow irritation. He mentioned that his current focus is on ensuring his arm has a chance to properly follow through, which requires better timing in his delivery. The left-hander emphasized that while coming out of a start with soreness was not ideal, the medical feedback has been encouraging.

The Yankees' medical staff and coaching unit are prioritizing mechanical adjustments to ensure this second instance of the bone bruise does not lead to a third. By isolating the timing issues that Fried identified, the club hopes to stabilize his 2.81 ERA performance for the remainder of the season. The team continues its homestand at Yankee Stadium with the expectation of integrating both Fried and Bellinger back into the active lineup by early September.