NEW YORK — On a hot Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, Max Fried stood before the media trying to keep his left hand out of view. The veteran left-hander wasn’t hiding poor performance. He was shielding a blister—one that might derail the New York Yankees’ rotation plans as the team enters the crucial second half of the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old ace exited the Yankees’ 5-2 loss to the Cubs after just three innings and 73 pitches, due to a blister on his left index finger. It was his fifth documented blister issue since 2018, and the latest couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Another blow to an already-thin rotation
The Yankees are already reeling from a series of pitching setbacks. Gerrit Cole was ruled out for the season in March following Tommy John surgery. Clarke Schmidt underwent the same procedure just this week. Luis Gil has been out all year with a lat strain, and Marcus Stroman and Ryan Yarbrough have spent time on the IL.
Now, Fried—the one pitcher Boone has leaned on most—is once again a question mark.
“This was different,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the blister. “It’s a good one. Like, he definitely had to come out.”
Boone confirmed the team’s medical staff had been treating Fried for blisters throughout the season. But Saturday’s flare-up was the most serious to date.
The pitch that changed everything
Fried traced the issue to a single pitch—a 92.2 mph cutter fouled off by Jon Berti with two outs in the third.
“I threw the fastball. I kind of felt it go,” Fried said. “I threw the changeup with the next pitch and was able to get out of the inning.”
But as soon as he reached the dugout, Fried alerted the Yankees’ staff.
Fried has battled blisters throughout his career—on both his index and middle fingers. In 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023, he made separate trips to the injured list. The gaps ranged from 12 to 23 days. Despite trying “every cream, every piece of equipment,” Fried admitted there’s no surefire solution.
“I’m willing to try anything,” he said. “Every wives’ tale. Every remedy. You just try to speed it up and keep it away.”
All-Star break timing helps, but doesn’t heal
Fortunately for the Yankees, the All-Star break offers a built-in buffer. Fried had already been ruled out of Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic in Atlanta due to workload. Now, he’ll use the week to recover—and hope the blister subsides.
“As far as timelines, I don’t know exactly how this one’s going to shake out,” Fried said. “A lot of the time, you have to see how it starts healing over the next couple of days.”
Boone added, “We’ll see how the next days unfold.”
While the break might allow Fried to avoid the injured list, his track record suggests caution. In each of the four previous blister-related absences, he missed one to three starts. That could complicate New York’s pitching plans, especially with the Yankees opening the second half in Atlanta, Fried’s former home.
he injury-riddled Yankees rotation couldn’t afford another blow. Fried has been their most reliable starter with Gerrit Cole sidelined. The $218 million southpaw now faces an uncertain timeline for his return.
The 31-year-old lefty couldn’t provide definitive answers about his recovery. His cautious tone suggested concern within the Yankees organization.
Fried’s performance slipping?
Fried entered Saturday 11–2 with a 2.43 ERA. But his recent outings have not been his best. Over his last four starts, he’s allowed 12 earned runs in 25 innings (4.33 ERA). Against the Cubs, Fried gave up four runs (three earned), walked three, and needed 73 pitches to get through three innings.
“It wasn’t good,” Fried admitted. “Not being able to execute pitches, get outs when I needed them. It was just unfortunate timing.”
Still, the Yankees have leaned heavily on Fried in the absence of Cole. He’s logged 122 innings so far, well on pace to surpass his career high of 185⅓ set in 2022.
“He’s been the one that whenever we’re in trouble or we need a big outing, he steps up,” said Aaron Judge, who hit his 350th career home run in the loss. “You get a little concerned when a guy like that comes out, but I don’t think it’s anything crazy. He’ll be ready to go for the second half.”
Rotation depth near breaking point
With Fried’s availability in question, the Yankees could soon be leaning on untested arms. Rookie Will Warren will start Sunday’s game against the Cubs—the final contest before the break.
Meanwhile, Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Double-A Somerset. He’s recovering from a lat strain that sidelined him since spring training.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment since the injury happened,” Gil said. “My goal was to get back on the field and help the team.”
The timing of Gil’s return could be pivotal. With Cole and Schmidt out long-term and Fried now uncertain, the Yankees may have no choice but to rush reinforcements.
Pressure mounts ahead of post-break push
Carlos Rodón has been solid, and Warren has shown flashes. But without Fried, the Yankees risk overexposing their thin depth. The club may have to look outside for rotation help as the trade deadline approaches.
As of July 13, the Yankees remain in the thick of the playoff race. But their second-half success may hinge on Fried’s blister—again.
Pitching analyst Rob Meyers summed it up this way:
“You don’t plan for blisters, but when they’re chronic, they control your rotation. It’s not just a finger. It’s your October.”
Max Fried’s latest blister flare-up is more than just a medical footnote. It’s a potential turning point in the Yankees’ season. With their rotation already stretched to its limit, Fried’s health—and recovery speed—could determine whether New York stays afloat or sinks in a crowded AL playoff chase.
Second half concerns mount
The Yankees resume play Friday in Atlanta with major rotation questions. Fried’s status remains day-to-day as the All-Star break begins.
The brief hiatus provides temporary relief, but manager Boone and GM Brian Cashman may need trade reinforcements. Fried’s finger must cooperate for the Yankees to contend.
“We’ll see how the next days unfold,” Boone said.
The second half will test the Yankees’ organizational depth and mental toughness. If Fried’s blister proves stubborn like in the past, New York needs more than Judge’s heroics to stay competitive.
History suggests blister problems can linger for pitchers. The Yankees’ championship hopes may depend on Fried’s finger healing properly.
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“I’m willing to try anything,” he said. “Every wives’ tale. Every remedy.”
I remember when Nolan Ryan had blister problems with the Mets. He used to soak his hand in pickle juice, even between innings when pitching.