The New York Yankees endured a crushing Saturday at Yankee Stadium. They lost 5-2 to the Chicago Cubs while watching Max Fried leave early with blister problems on his pitching hand.
Fried departed after three innings when blisters flared up on his left index finger. The All-Star southpaw has dealt with this problem before. He felt pain throwing a fastball to Jon Berti in the third inning with two outs.
“It’s definitely frustrating,” Fried told reporters after the game.
This blister issue has plagued Fried throughout his professional career. He’s now dealt with it five times since reaching the majors. The problem followed him from the minors to Atlanta and now New York.
“It’s too early to tell,” Fried said about his recovery timeline. “The good thing is we have the break to do as much as we can. [As for a] timeline, I don’t know. A lot of times you have to see how it starts healing.”
Great work by our YES crew. It looks like Max Fried has a blister. He has been replaced after 3 innings. pic.twitter.com/DxKug7TwA6
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Fried had battled blister irritation between starts this season. Saturday’s flare-up was more severe than usual.
“He definitely had to come out,” Boone said.
The All-Star break provides recovery time for Fried. He had already withdrawn from pitching in the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta. Carlos Rodón replaced him on the American League roster.
Struggles mount for Yankees
AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Fried’s abbreviated outing marked his worst performance since signing his massive eight-year, $218 million contract with New York. He surrendered four runs on six hits across three innings. Three runs were earned while walking three batters and striking out two on 73 pitches.
His command deserted him completely. Fried’s ERA has jumped from 1.89 to 2.43 over his last five starts.
“I was bad,” Fried admitted. “I just wasn’t good. I wasn’t able to execute pitches and get outs when I needed them.”
Chicago struck early against the struggling lefty. Nico Hoerner tripled to open the game and scored moments later. A disastrous third inning saw the Cubs plate three more runs. Poor Yankees defense, including an error by Jazz Chisholm Jr., contributed to the damage.
“He’s been our ace all year. Our Cy Young guy,” Aaron Judge said about Fried. “You get a little concerned when a guy like that comes out, but I don’t think it’s anything crazy.”
Boyd dominates Yankees bats
Cubs starter Matthew Boyd stole the show while Fried struggled. The 34-year-old lefty, making his first All-Star team, pitched eight shutout innings. He allowed just four hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
“He’s a great left-handed pitcher,” Judge said. “It speaks to the type of year he’s having this year. So you gotta sometimes tip your cap when a guy goes out there and does something like that.”
Boyd’s masterful performance silenced a Yankees lineup that had scored 88 runs in 12 games. The team had exploded for 11 runs Friday night against the same Cubs squad.
Yankees rally falls short
AP
New York managed a late surge in the ninth inning. Aaron Judge crushed a two-run homer off Brad Keller for his 35th of the season and 350th of his career. The milestone shot came too late to change the outcome.
Daniel Palencia entered to finish the game after Keller struggled.
“I honestly got nothing to be honest,” Judge said about reaching 350 home runs. “Would have been great if we got a win today to do something like that.”
Judge’s homer added to his record-breaking season. He now holds the Yankees franchise record for most home runs before the All-Star break. He reached 350 career homers in 1,088 games, the fastest in MLB history.
Bullpen struggles add to Yankees’ woes
The Yankees’ problems extend beyond the starting rotation. Hamilton prevented further damage after replacing Fried. Jonathan Loáisiga surrendered a solo homer to Carson Kelly in the eighth inning. The right-hander owns a 10.38 ERA in July with poor slider command.
“It’s location, for sure,” Loáisiga said. “If I execute that pitch, I could get some weak contact, maybe a ground ball.”
"Keep praying for health the rest of the season and I know that things will turn around and I will start getting the results I want."
Pitching coach Matt Blake and Boone remain confident in Loáisiga’s recovery from elbow surgery. Results have been inconsistent since his return.
“Still rounding into the pre-Tommy John version” is how Blake described Loáisiga’s progress. Opponents have adjusted to his signature sinker. His role in crucial situations remains questionable.
Looking ahead
Fried will undergo further evaluation in the coming days. The Yankees resume play Friday in Atlanta for the second-half opener. That could be a homecoming start for Fried if his finger heals properly.
With rotation injuries mounting, the Yankees may need to explore trade options before the deadline. The team sits second in the AL East at 53-42.
Pitching health will determine the Yankees’ second-half fate.
