Max Fried Activated Early for Yankees Doubleheader vs. Pirates

The New York Yankees announced that left-hander Max Fried will pitch the nightcap of Wednesday’s day-night doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision follows a Tuesday rainout that postponed the originally scheduled game, prompting the club to move Fried’s planned minor-league rehab start into the major-league rotation. Gerrit Cole will start the afternoon game, marking the first occasion the two pitchers appear together in the Yankees’ rotation.

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Fried has been on the injured list since May 16 because of a bone bruise in his left pitching elbow, after initially being sidelined on May 14. He made a single three-inning rehab appearance for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and throwing 52 pitches (32 strikes). The 32-year-old signed an eight-year, $218 million free-agent contract before the 2025 season.

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Gerrit Cole returned to the Yankees on May 22 after reconstructive elbow surgery, and the upcoming doubleheader will be the first time the two multiple-time All-Stars are healthy and on the mound together.

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• Fried’s 2025 season record before injury: 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA in ten starts.

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• Rehab start (Triple-A): 3 innings, 2 runs, 5 hits, 3 strikeouts, 52 pitches (32 strikes).

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• Cole’s return date: May 22; his 2025 season had been lost to Tommy John surgery.

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• “We have high hopes this year,” — Aaron Boone, yankees manager

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These developments give New York a reinforced middle of the rotation as the team heads into a weekend series in Philadelphia.

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