Fried exits game with elbow soreness, scheduled for imaging
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BALTIMORE – The Yankees have wondered at times about Max Fried’s spotty command this season, even watching the All-Star ditch his windup in hopes of targeting the strike zone more effectively. They have greater concerns after the left-hander disappeared down the dugout tunnel after three innings on Wednesday.
Initially diagnosed with left elbow posterior soreness, Fried exited after throwing 61 pitches in the Yankees’ 7-0 loss to the Orioles at Camden Yards. He is scheduled to be examined by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and undergo imaging in New York on Thursday.
As in his previous outing, when he permitted a season-high five runs to the Brewers on May 8 in Milwaukee, Fried seemed to have difficulty finding his rhythm.
Coby Mayo stroked a run-scoring double in the second inning, Adley Rutschman lifted a third-inning sacrifice fly, and Pete Alonso added an RBI single off Fried, who scattered five hits and one walk while striking out two.
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After Alonso was tagged out between first and second base to end the third, Fried came off the field and walked directly toward the visitors’ clubhouse. Pitching coach Matt Blake followed Fried, then hurried to signal the bullpen, where Paul Blackburn began to warm.
It was the first time in 10 starts this season that Fried, 32, failed to reach the sixth inning. He is in the second season of an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees, and is leading the Majors with 61 2/3 innings.