Yankees send McMahon to injured list as Fried edges closer to return
New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a thumb sprain, while left-hander Max Fried prepares for a side session that could clear him for action next week.
The New York Yankees have placed third baseman Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injured list following a Grade 2 left thumb sprain sustained during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. The injury occurred on Wednesday when McMahon was thrown out while attempting to stretch a single into a double at second base during a 5-3 victory. Manager Aaron Boone indicated the decision was made to prevent further complications, noting that McMahon was playing at a compromised level.
McMahon, who is hitting .218 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 108 games, stated that he expects to miss only the minimum time on the list. He described the situation as "not great news" but expressed relief that surgery is unlikely. The third baseman acknowledged that playing at 50 per cent capacity during the critical stretch of the season was not ideal, particularly given his difficulty with swinging the bat.
To fill the roster spot vacated by McMahon, the Yankees called up Max Schuemann from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Schuemann batted .194 in 40 games earlier this season. However, his tenure on the major league roster may be brief if outfielder Cody Bellinger is cleared to return from a left hamstring strain. Bellinger began his minor league rehabilitation assignment on Thursday and could rejoin the Yankees as early as Sunday.
Concurrently, left-hander Max Fried is scheduled to throw a side session on Saturday, a step that could clear him to return from the 15-day injured list next week. Fried was placed on the list on Monday, with the move retroactive to the previous Friday, following a start against Seattle. He has been 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts this season.
Fried, who missed 57 games earlier in the year with a similar injury, said he has been feeling good and is encouraged by his recent progress. He noted that while the current soreness is similar to his previous injury, it is on a smaller scale. Boone added that the team is encouraged by Fried’s recent days, suggesting he is on a positive trajectory towards a return to the rotation.
