New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried’s July went from bad to worse when a blister on his left index finger forced him to exit his Saturday afternoon start against the Chicago Cubs after three innings.
Fried, who began the month with a 1.92 season ERA, allowed three runs on six hits, walked three and struck out two vs. the Cubs in a 5-2 loss.
In three July starts, Fried has a 6.43 ERA, allowing 15 hits and five walks with nine strikeouts in 14 innings.
Initially selected as an All-Star on July 6, Fried was replaced on the American League roster on Friday because of the short turnaround from his weekend start to Tuesday’s exhibition.
While his blister won’t impact his All-Star Game plans, it could threaten a potential homecoming start in next weekend’s road series against the Atlanta Braves.
Fried played for the Braves from 2017 to 2024. He established himself as one of the major league’s best starters in Atlanta, where he also had a troubling history with blisters.
“Anytime it gets a little too hot or I get overheated, I can be susceptible to [blisters],” Fried told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in July 2019 after returning from the injured list.
“Blisters have tainted his career thus far,” the AJC wrote at the time. Fried later dealt with blister issues in September 2023, missing the end of the regular season after being placed on the 15-day injured list.
New York entered Saturday winners of five in a row and two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) for first in the AL East. It has a league-best +114 run differential.
The Yankees have World Series expectations, and they need Fried to pitch at his best to make those a reality. Depending on the severity of his injury setback, it could be a while before he gets a chance to get back on track.
