All-Star break offers Yankees little reprieve as Max Fried Cam Schlittler questions linge
Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2025 2:57 am
Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. ATLANTA Fresh off a four-day All-Star break, the Yankees rotation to begin the second half has become a popular GIF brought to life. The dog sitting at a table, saying, This is fine, with flames all around him? That was the state of the Yankees pitching plans as of Friday. It may all end up being fine, but in Cole Anthony Jersey the interim, the Yankees opened a series against the Braves on Friday with a bullpen game that while cro sing their fingers that Max Fried and Cam Schlittler will be able to pitch in their next series against the Blue Jays. Originally, once Fried decided not to pitch in the All-Star Game, he was likely going to start Friday against his old teammates in his first trip back to Truist Park. But then he left last Saturdays start with a blister on his left index finger. The left-hander has seen considerable improvements since then, he said Friday, but the Yankees wanted to give him a few extra days to make sure it is fully healed so it wont pop up again. So then Schlittler became the Yankees likely starter Friday, until he experienced upper-arm sorene s earlier this week, manager Aaron Boone said. The Yankees sent the rookie for an MRI exam and put him through tests, all of which came back clean. But it was enough to push him back a few days. Like Fried, they hope to have him pitch against the Blue Jays in the series that runs Monday through Wednesday. Max Fried of the New York Yankees reacts reacts on the mound during the third inning. Jason Szenes / New York Post Because the Yankees still wanted Will Warren to pitch on his sixth day Saturday, Marcus Stroman had already thrown a bullpen in preparation for his Sunday start and Carlos Rodn just pitched an inning in Tuesdays All-Star Game (lining him up to start Monday), it left them starting reliever Ian Hamilton on Friday night. Explore More Hoping that with Cam and Max, its just short-term things where we move them in the rotation and hopefully fine moving forward, Boone said. We should be in a situation after [Friday] where hopefully our five guys are making their turns. Even if that proves to be the case, the tenuous state of the rotation this week only emphasizes the need for the Yankees to add a starter by the July 31 trade deadline. Luis Gil is on his way back from a lat strain, making a second rehab start Friday night and likely needing one or two more after that before he returns, but Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are not walking through that door because of Tommy John surgery. New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler throws a pitch to the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. JASON SZENES/NY POST Schlittler made his MLB debut last Wednesday in place of Schmidt, lighting up the radar gun while throwing 5 / innings and giving up three runs in a win over the Mariners. Boone said he recovered from that without i sue before the upper-arm discomfort popped up Tuesday. CHECK OUT THE AND We think hes fine, Boone said. He should be good to go. But it forced us to push him back. So then were in a little bit of a tough spot. Im hoping to slot him back in in the Toronto series. For Fried, not being able to pitch this weekend was a disappointing development after spending the first eight years of his big league career here. Max Fried of the New York Yankees reacts as he walks back to the dugout after ending the second inning at Citi Field on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST American League manager Aaron Boone (17) of the New York Yankees before the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. Brett Davis-Imagn Images Its something I was looking forward to, he said. Mi sing that opportunity to be able to pitch was definitely frustrating, but weve got the rest of the season to worry about. I want to make sure Im ready to go and this doesnt keep lingering. In that regard, Fried said the blister was really good and progre sing well. He hasnt stopped playing catch since his last start Saturday, but had yet to throw a bullpen, which will be the next box to check off. Mostly its trying to make sure the skin heals, first and foremost, Fried said. Trying to get it to be looking like a normal finger. On top of that, just trying to make sure the skin is a little bit calloused, a little bit tougher rather than just being soft. Especially with it being hot and my skin getting a little softer, its more susceptible to ripping. Just trying to stay on top of that and keeping the skin hard and calloused. Al-Farouq Aminu Jersey