Max Fried, the Yankees’ left-handed pitcher, will not participate in this year’s All-Star Game but plans to attend the festivities in Atlanta, where he previously spent eight seasons before joining the Yankees. Fried’s decision to withdraw from the All-Star Game was influenced by his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, which would have required him to pitch on just two days of rest if he participated. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the situation, emphasizing that managing the workload of pitchers is crucial, especially as Fried currently approaches his career-high in innings pitched.
“Just a lot of machinations,” Boone noted about the planning surrounding Fried’s participation. He expressed hope that Fried could surpass his 185 ¹/₃ innings from previous seasons and continue pitching effectively through the playoffs.
The Yankees recently celebrated a resounding 11-0 victory over the Cubs, adding momentum as they head into the weekend. Boone, while addressing a previous issue about the Mariners’ pitcher Andrés Muñoz potentially tipping his pitches, maintained a light-hearted demeanor, downplaying the Yankees’ awareness of the situation.
Additionally, Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz has been elevated to Double-A Somerset after a standout performance at High-A Hudson Valley, where he posted a 2.26 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 83 ²/₃ innings. Meanwhile, right-hander Geoff Hartlieb has opted for free agency after being designated for assignment.
This article showcases the Yankees’ strategic decisions concerning player management and highlights the team’s depth with promising prospects such as Rodriguez-Cruz, offering optimism for their future performance.