In March, Cole underwent Tommy John surgery and learned he would be out for the entirety of 2025. This was, and is still, devastating news for the Yankees, who could’ve had one of the best rotations in the majors with a healthy Cole. But Fried’s emergence into the number one starter role, while not too surprising, has also been a blessing for the Yankees’ rotation. After Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, New York’s starters have a combined ERA of 4.15, good for 19th in the majors. Of the 67 earned runs given up by Yankee starters, a mere 5 have come from Fried.
That’s not where the story ends, either. Fried is the only Yankee pitcher with more than 3 wins (Carlos Rodon, Tim Hill), and he has 5 in 6 starts (almost making it 6 in his first start against Milwaukee, when he was just a single out away from qualifying for the win). The 31-year-old has also pitched 37 2/3 innings, 3rd in MLB behind Luis Severino (38 2/3) and Seth Lugo (38). The point is that Fried has given the Yankees a chance to win every game he’s pitched so far, and he’s been dominant while doing so.
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