Yankee's pitcher, Max Fried, delivers the performance they had been seeking after a shaky initial appearance.
In a grind-it-out performance reminiscent of the pitcher who has anchored the rotation all season, Max Fried led the Yankees to a 7-4 victory over the Rays on a recent night.
After recovering from a blister injury in mid-July 2025, Fried initially struggled with his command, allowing six runs (four earned) over 5 1/3 innings in his first start back on July 16, resulting in an 8-4 loss to Toronto. However, since then, Fried has been one of the best pitchers in MLB. He has posted a 1.78 ERA, which ranks tied for second-best in the majors, and he held an 11-2 record with an .846 winning percentage as of August 26, 2025.
Despite the early post-recovery struggles, Fried's overall performance after blister recovery has been outstanding. Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Fried’s trouble with command was not due to the blister but rather general command difficulties unrelated to the injury.
In the game against the Rays, Fried had a strong performance, looking like the same pitcher who has anchored the rotation all season. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out nine, allowing just two earned runs, and retiring 14 straight. His last inning trouble came when he walked catcher Nick Fortes and allowed a double to Taylor Walls, which resulted in Fortes scoring.
The Yankees needed to keep their bullpen usage light, reverse their recent slide, and have their ace perform well. Manager Aaron Boone brought in Jonathan Loáisiga to end the inning after Fried's trouble in the last inning.
The game started on a challenging note for the Yankees, with an error by Anthony Volpe leading to two unearned Rays runs in the first inning. The error negatively affected Fried's first inning performance. However, Fried bounced back and held the Rays scoreless for the next five innings.
Max Fried's last pitch of the night was his 111th, and the first hit he had given up since Jonathan Aranda's home run. He used his curveball extensively, going to it 34 times, and induced eight whiffs, serving as his out pitch for the evening.
Fried's determination to ensure the team had a good chance to win was evident. After not having the best results in his recent starts, Fried stated that he wanted to help the team get back on track. The Yankees came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Rays 7-4, thanks in large part to Fried's strong performance.
With this win, Fried recorded his 12th win of the season, further solidifying his status as one of the best pitchers in the league. Despite the early struggles after his blister injury, Fried's exceptional performance since then has been a key factor in the Yankees' success. His blister on his left index finger, which caused concern before the All-Star break, was essentially a nonfactor during the game.
In the following days, the sports media eagerly discussed Max Fried's impressive comeback after his mid-July blister injury, highlighting his stellar MLB statistics, including a 1.78 ERA and an 11-2 record to date. Later, a sports broadcast featured a segment on how Fried's resilience and determination played a significant role in the Yankees' victory over the Rays, showcasing his strong pitching performance and crucial role in the team's success.
