Fried returns as Game 2 starter in Yankees-Pirates DH

Max Fried will return from a left elbow bone bruise to start Game 2 of a Wednesday doubleheader against the Pirates, with Gerrit Cole taking Game 1, marking the first time Fried and Cole will be in the same rotation. Fried has not pitched in the majors since mid-May and will make a 52-pitch Triple-A tune-up before activation, with workload restrictions expected. Prior to the injury, Fried posted a 3.21 ERA over 10 starts. The return is timed to bolster a rotation that currently includes Cam Schlitter and, when healthy, Carlos Rodón, though Aaron Judge’s absence remains a concern. The team had initially planned for one more rehab start before rejoining in Chicago, but the timeline was accelerated to address the rotation during a challenging stretch. Weather-related postponements and potential bullpen or spot starts could influence immediate usage of Fried and the rest of the rotation. The Yankees are aiming to maximize depth as they navigate strong contention in the Wild Card/AL East race.