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 is the biggest concern. The Yankees’ Opening Day starter and rotation ace left Wednesday’s start after three innings with left elbow posterior soreness. He threw just 61 pitches.
Fried was examined Thursday by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and underwent imaging in New York. According to the Yankees sources, Fried does not need Tommy John surgery, but will miss some time. A specific timeline has not been set. But it could be two to three weeks.
Fried was optimistic in his postgame comments but acknowledged the discomfort had been present across multiple starts this season. He described the sensation as similar to hyperextending the back of the elbow. He said it had usually faded quickly. On Wednesday it did not.
The Yankees are expected to place Fried on the injured list if imaging reveals any structural concern.
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.
What do you think?
