NEW YORK — The Yankees went almost a month into the 2026 season without a serious injury concern. They have spent the last three weeks making up for it.
Four Yankees players are currently on the injured list. A fifth is heading for MRI imaging on Thursday.
Yankees relieved after Fried tests
Max Fried described the sensation as similar to hyperextending the back of the elbow after he exited the game in Baltimore due to should issue.
Max Fried’s injury scare gave the Yankees a dose of relief and concern at the same time.
Tests performed Thursday, including an MRI and CT scan, showed a bone bruise in Fried’s left elbow, according to the Yankees. The diagnosis will send the three-time All-Star to the 15-day injured list, leaving the club without its ace for an uncertain stretch.
The Yankees believe they avoided a far worse outcome. Fried said his ulnar collateral ligament “looks good,” easing fears of a potential ligament injury that could have raised the possibility of Tommy John surgery. The club also sent the imaging to renowned surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a step Fried characterized as routine “due diligence” rather than a sign of deeper concern.
Still, the left-hander will not resume throwing right away. Fried will remain shut down for at least a few weeks, or until the elbow no longer causes symptoms. After that, the Yankees plan to conduct follow-up imaging before deciding whether he can begin a throwing program.
That process makes his return date difficult to pin down. Fried said the timeline remains “ambiguous,” and pitchers often need a buildup period roughly equal to the time they spend without throwing. That could put him out for at least a month, and possibly longer depending on how quickly the bone bruise heals.
“Definitely bummed that I’m going to have to be missing some time, but overall happy that it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anything serious,” Fried said Friday at Citi Field. “No surgery required or anything like that. Never want to go on the IL and miss games, but also understand that the long-term outlook still looks good.”
Dominguez receives PRP shot
Jasson Dominguez is recovering from a left AC joint sprain suffered when he crashed headfirst into the left field wall at Yankee Stadium on May 7.
He is cleared of any head injury concerns from the collision. However, Dominguez received a PRP injection to help accelerate healing in the shoulder. PRP injections typically cause soreness for a day or two before the recovery benefits begin.
Dominguez will not be ready to come off the Yankees’ 10-day injured list when he first becomes eligible on May 18. His recovery window remains fluid.
Stanton’s calf still not fit for running
Giancarlo Stanton strained his right calf on April 24 while running the bases against the Houston Astros. He has been on the injured list since April 25.
The Yankees took a comparison MRI earlier this week to gauge his progress. The results were not what the team hoped for. Stanton has not advanced far enough in his recovery to begin ramping up his running.
Caballero expects to return within 10 days
The most optimistic update among the Yankees’ injured players came from shortstop Jose Caballero. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his right middle finger suffered Sunday.
Caballero hit in the batting cage without issue Monday. His throwing did not feel comfortable yet. The Yankees believe that a few days of rest should allow the fracture to settle and expect it to be a non-issue by the time he returns.
Caballero was direct about his own timeline when asked how long he expected to miss.
“Ten days, that’s the max I’m taking,” Caballero said.
His return cannot come quickly enough. The Yankees have no reliable alternative at short. Anthony Volpe started in his place Wednesday and went 0-for-3 with a fielding error in the 7-0 loss. The Yankees did not commit a single error at shortstop during Caballero’s time at the position before the injury. Volpe’s debut performance illustrated exactly why the Yankees are counting on Caballero to return on schedule.
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