TAMPA, Fla. – Max Fried filled the role of ace for the Yankees last year, but because of the timing of Gerrit Cole’s injury, he did not receive the honor of starting on Opening Day.
That will change this season.
Fried has been named as the Yankees’ scheduled starter for the March 25 season opener against the Giants in San Francisco, manager Aaron Boone confirmed after the club’s 5-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates on Monday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
“I’m definitely looking forward, knowing that the beginning of the season is quick,” Fried said before the decision was announced. “It feels a little weird because we’ve got a bunch of guys still going in the [World Baseball] Classic and being able to watch that. We’re just doing what we need to do every day to get ready for Game 1.”
It will be the fifth career Opening Day nod for Fried, who took the ball for the Braves’ openers in 2019, ‘21, ‘22 and ‘23. Carlos Rodón started the Yanks’ season opener last year, with Fried making his club debut in the second game.
“He knows how to work and he knows how to prepare,” Boone said of Fried, “and that’s all year round.”
Boone’s comments came after Fried was sharp in a 67-pitch outing (42 strikes), limiting the Pirates to Endy Rodríguez’s solo homer over four-plus innings. Fried permitted two hits, striking out six without a walk.
“I told him, ‘That was fun to watch,’” Boone said. “It was one of those nights where he had it all working and got into a really good rhythm. His cutter was really good early. I thought he was really sharp.”
The start against Pittsburgh marked Fried’s second of the spring, following an exhibition against Team Panama in which he said he felt “definitely rusty” and “out of sync.”
“As far as last time to this time, way better, more consistent,” Fried said. “I was able to execute what I wanted to do, and being able to focus a little more on my game plan, my process. I felt like I was able to do that well tonight.”
Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the Yankees before the 2025 season.
In his first year wearing pinstripes, Fried went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA, setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (195 1/3) and strikeouts (189), earning selection as an American League All-Star.
Fried projects to lead a rotation that will also include Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, Ryan Weathers and Luis Gil, with Cole and Rodón expected back at some point in the first half.
“We’ve got a lot of really good, talented arms,” Fried said. “Guys are throwing the ball well and feeling good. This time of year, that’s all you can ask for.”