The New York Yankees may soon get some much-needed reinforcements back on the field.
Manager Aaron Boone could have left-handed ace Max Fried back in the starting rotation by the trade deadline, and star outfielder Aaron Judge may not be far behind — though a firm timeline for Judge remains elusive.
Fried took the mound Friday night for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, marking his first game action since landing on the injured list with a bone bruise following a May 13 outing. Boone said Fried was working under a pitch count “in the low 50s” for the start. He is already set for at least one additional Triple-A start next week before the team re-evaluates his status.
The situation is less clear for Judge, who is dealing with a fractured rib on his right side, and fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton has resumed running but has no timetable established for returning to baseball-related activities.
Judge was recently told to stop riding a stationary bike but has been cleared to walk on a treadmill at a slight incline. He is not yet permitted to take batting practice or participate in any stationary baseball drills.
Judge said Friday that the most recent imaging of his injured rib showed “some improvement,” but doctors have not cleared him for physical workouts due to the risk of re-injuring the area.
Boone remained optimistic but acknowledged the team must be patient. “We’re not there yet. We’ll just continue to wait, let it heal,” the manager said. “I feel good about the fact that he’ll be back. It’s just a matter of when.”
Boone added: “Obviously we all want Aaron Judge back in the lineup. As I’ve said we have a lot of capable players. We finished the (first) half on a high note. We have to continue to play well and hopefully win ballgames knowing that at some point he’ll join us.”
A three-time American League MVP, Judge has belted 17 home runs and driven in 38 runs across 59 games this season.
Stanton, meanwhile, has been sidelined since April 24 when he injured his calf in a game against the Houston Astros. He is not expected to return to the lineup this week. Through just 24 games this year, Stanton has three home runs and 14 RBIs. This marks his seventh stint on the injured list since he joined the Yankees prior to the 2018 season.
Two pitchers are also working their way back. Left-hander Carlos Rodon threw a 10-pitch bullpen session Friday, giving the team a live look at his recovery from inflammation in his left elbow. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt, coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, is being targeted for a potential return in August. The Yankees have scheduled Schmidt to face live hitters for the first time since undergoing the 2025 elbow procedure.
