Max Fried Withdraws from All-Star Game but Will Attend Festivities in Atlanta

Max Fried, the talented left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming MLB All-Star Game scheduled for next week. This decision comes as Fried is set to pitch against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, leading to a tighter turnaround that would have necessitated him to compete on just two days of rest during the All-Star Game.

Why Fried Pulled Out

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided insights into the decision-making process behind Fried’s withdrawal. “Just a lot of machinations,” he said, acknowledging that the tight schedule prompted a reevaluation of Fried’s participation. Boone emphasized the importance of managing pitchers carefully, especially during such high-stakes events.

• Replacement Pitcher: Carlos Rodón will take Fried’s place in the All-Star lineup.
• Pitch Count: As of Friday night’s dominant 11-0 win against the Cubs, Fried stands at 119 innings for the season, aiming to surpass his career-high of 185 ⅓ innings.

"I hope he breaks that 185 this year and then goes deep into the playoffs," Boone added, indicating a focus on strategic workload management for all pitchers.

Homecoming in Atlanta

Despite not pitching, Fried will still participate in the All-Star festivities in Atlanta—a city where he spent the first eight years of his MLB career. Fans of Fried can look forward to his return to the mound next weekend, potentially as a starter against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, now that he will not be pitching on Tuesday.

Yankees Manager Remarks on Strategy

Boone’s press conference revealed more than just Fried’s situation. When questioned about potential pitch-tipping by the Yankees, Boone played it cool, feigning ignorance about the Mariners’ discovery of a signal relay from the second base that helped swing the momentum of the game.

Notable Practices

Following a recent incident with bunting, several key players, including Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe, participated in extra bunting practice. This emphasizes the Yankees’ commitment to improving all facets of their game.

Health Updates from the Yankees

In other injury-related news, Austin Wells is expected to miss Friday’s game to recover from a wrist issue incurred during Thursday’s game. He is anticipated to catch for Fried in Saturday’s outing.

Additionally, updates on Marcus Stroman’s health indicate that his quad injury, sustained during his last start, appears manageable, though Boone hasn’t received a full report yet.

Minor League Highlights

• Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz Promotion: The Yankees’ pitching prospect moved up to Double-A Somerset after a strong stint at High-A Hudson Valley, where he boasted an impressive 2.26 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 83 ⅔ innings in 15 games.
• Geoff Hartlieb Moves: RHP Geoff Hartlieb opted for free agency instead of accepting an assignment to Triple-A after being designated for assignment earlier in the week.

Explore more about the Yankees and their strategies this season, and stay tuned for updates as they prepare for the competitive second half of the MLB season.

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