NEW YORK -- Max Fried was back in action on the Yankee Stadium mound Tuesday, an encouraging sight as the hurler works toward returning from a left elbow bone bruise that has kept him out of the rotation since May 13.
The Yankees were also watching the hitters closely.
Trent Grisham and Ryan McMahon each stepped in for live at-bats against Fried, with the pair preparing to play in a Minor League rehab game on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset. That could precede a return for a series with the Twins that begins on Friday.
“He looked like Max Fried to me,” McMahon said. “The sinkers were nasty. Everything was good. I’ve faced him a couple of times; it’s never fun, and it still wasn’t fun today. It definitely looks like Max Fried.”
Grisham has been out since June 13 with a strained right hamstring, while McMahon was placed on the injured list last Wednesday (retroactive to June 22) with a peritonsillar abscess.
Part of the Yankees’ recent slide, according to manager Aaron Boone, may be a reflection of missing Grisham’s stabilizing presence.
Boone said this past weekend that Grisham “settles” his outfield alignment. With Grisham shelved, New York has been rotating starts in center field among Cody Bellinger, José Caballero, Spencer Jones and Max Schuemann.
Boone said that if Wednesday had been a night game, they might have had Grisham play his rehab game on Tuesday, then return for the finale of the Tigers series.
McMahon had already been expected to return on Friday, when he will first be eligible for activation. He had been in New York for workouts, having checked out of his Boston hotel early to travel back ahead of the team.
Boone had initially suggested Giancarlo Stanton might participate in Tuesday’s workout, as Stanton continues to rehab from a right calf strain. When Stanton did not appear, Boone said he had misspoken.
Fried is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session on Sunday, Boone said.
“He’s just the absolute bulldog out there,” McMahon said. “We’ve had the pleasure of playing behind him. He’s going to compete every fifth day and give everything he’s got. That’s all you can ask for.”
Finally, right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt is continuing side sessions this week and will “probably” throw live batting practice session next week, according to Boone. He is targeting an August return, likely as a reliever, while recovering from Tommy John surgery.