New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried was electric in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the series finale at Comerica Park, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing five hits, walking none and striking out 11 for his second win of the year. It was easily Fried's best performance early on in his first year with the Yankees after he gave up seven runs (three earned) on 13 hits (one homer) with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings over his first two outings against the Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates. The cold weather in Detroit probably helped his cause for his first quality start of the 2025 season. With the strong effort, the 31-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA on the year to a stingy 1.56. He'll have a tough matchup his next time out against the Kansas City Royals next week, but Fried is a must-start in fantasy.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried may not get the nod on Opening Day. Manager Aaron Boone noted that "it might not line up" for Fried to take the mound that day. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but it seems Carlos Rodon may be the likely candidate to open their season. Earlier in the offseason, the Yankees signed Fried to a massive eight-year $218 million contract. With Gerrit Cole (elbow) set to undergo Tommy John and Luis Gil (lat) expected to miss at least three months of action, Fried and Rodon are set to lead the rotation. Last season, Fried logged 174 1/3 innings of work with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He tallied 166 strikeouts and generated an elite 59.2 percent ground-ball rate. If Rodon were to get the nod, he would be a risky play in DFS facing the reigning NL Central Champions, the Milwaukee Brewers. Last season, Rodon held a 3.96 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP.

New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried will make his Yankees Grapefruit League debut on Monday, March 3, against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Steinbrenner Field, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Fried will be pitching in the Bronx for the first time in 2025 after signing an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees over the winter. The 31-year-old southpaw will serve as the team's No. 2 starting pitcher behind right-hander Gerrit Cole after spending the first eight years of his major-league career with the Atlanta Braves. Fried is no stranger to injuries, but he mostly stayed healthy in his final year with the Braves in 2024 and finished with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings over 29 regular-season starts. He has only gone over 180 innings once in his eight seasons and has a below-average strikeout rate, making him more of a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher.

Free-agent left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees agreed to an eight-year, $218 million deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, according to sources. It becomes the largest guarantee in baseball history for a left-handed pitcher and sends Fried from the National League East with the Atlanta Braves to the American League East. Fried will not have any deferred money and won't be able to opt out of the contract. Although injuries have set back the 30-year-old southpaw before, the Yankees were willing to take the risk because of Fried's ace potential when healthy. The two-time All-Star has a career 3.07 ERA (3.29 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and 23.9% strikeout rate in his eight big-league seasons (all in Atlanta). He has made at least 28 starts in four of the last five full seasons but he also has topped 180 innings just once. The move to the AL East won't be easy, but Fried's ground-ball tendencies in the Bronx should help.

Free-agent left-hander Max Fried, the top remaining lefty starter on the open market this offseason, is expected to choose his next team by this Thursday, according to major-league sources briefed on the talks. The finalists for Fried's services figures to be the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays out of the American League East. Those three teams are also believed to be going after free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes. The Texas Rangers are also in on Fried, but it's uncertain if they have the ability to invest heavily. Fried, a two-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and former World Series champion, is expected to command a deal for five to six years at 30 years old. The Yankees are "all over" Fried after failing to re-sign outfielder Juan Soto, according to one source with knowledge of the talks. If healthy, Fried has the ability to be a fantasy ace, although a move to the AL East could be tough.

While the Yankees are still considered one of the four serious contenders to sign Juan Soto, they have been making alternative plans in the event they are unable to bring back the superstar outfielder. New York has been said to be interested in shortstop Willy Adames, but could also be willing to spend big on pitching, having recently conducted meetings with star pitchers Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Left-hander Fried earned his second All-Star nomination in 2024, pitching to a 3.25 ERA (3.33 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with a 15.3% K-BB% in 29 starts. Right-hander Burnes, a Cy Young winner in 2021, made his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance in 2024, posting a 2.92 ERA (3.55 FIP) and a 1.10 WHIP with a 17.0% K-BB% in 32 starts. Either one would fortify a strong rotation that already has former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, 2x All-Star Carlos Rodon, and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year winner ... [More]

With the Los Angeles Dodgers signing left-hander Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deal on Tuesday night, USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that the Boston Red Sox are now focusing on free-agent lefty Max Fried to upgrade their starting rotation this offseason. In addition to Fried, the BoSox are reportedly upping their efforts to land free-agent superstar outfielder Juan Soto, so Boston appears to be quite serious about opening up their wallet this winter. Fried, who has been an All-Star for the Atlanta Braves in two of the last three seasons, bounced back health-wise in 2024 to go 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and 166:57 K:BB in 174 1/3 innings over 29 regular-season starts. Fried isn't a huge strikeout guy and relies more on inducing ground balls, so a move to a bad defensive team in the Red Sox in the tough AL East might not be the best landing spot for fantasy purposes.

The Atlanta Braves extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent left-hander Max Fried on Monday, according to sources. If Fried rejects the offer and signs with another club this offseason, the Braves will receive draft-pick compensation. Fried has pitched in Atlanta in all eight of his big-league seasons, compiling a nice 3.07 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 23.9 percent strikeout rate in 884 1/3 regular-season innings over 168 appearances (151 starts). The 30-year-old southpaw is fully expected to reject the qualifying offer and test out free agency. The Braves would love to have him back, but Fried could quickly get priced out of Atlanta's price range for a starter on the open market. The two-time All-Star has been bit by the injury bug in the past, but when healthy, he's one of the better top-of-the-rotation starters in baseball.

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that the Atlanta Braves are unlikely to get into a bidding war to retain impending free-agent left-hander Max Fried. The Braves exceeded luxury-tax thresholds each of the last two seasons and will be returning Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider. Fried will be 31 in January, a little on the old side for a free-agent starter, but he is 71-31 with a 3.06 ERA in 145 regular-season games since the start of 2019 and figures to attract multiple suitors. His age and multiple injuries in his career could keep his cost low enough for Atlanta to consider re-signing him. Fried has been a three-time Gold Glove winner, two-time All-Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting twice. If Fried leaves and Charlie Morton retires, Atlanta has options to fill out their rotation in ... [More]

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was hit in the hip with a comebacker in the second inning of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, with manager Brian Snitker stating during the broadcast that the impacted area was bothering Fried and that was why he ultimately decided to take him out. Fried was masterful his last time out against the Royals at the end of the regular season but did not fare as well Wednesday, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, then being held responsible for five earned runs in the second inning. The southpaw allowed eight hits and no walks while striking out two in two innings of work. With the Braves eliminated, the 30-year-old will be good to go next season, although at this point it's not certain whether or not it will be with Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried has been tabbed to take the ball in Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park. The Braves decided to go with right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who has made just one start in 2024, for Game 1 on Tuesday night. It will be a full-circle moment for Fried, as he was drafted seventh overall in 2012 by the Padres. The 30-year-old southpaw is now the team's ace with fellow left-hander Chris Sale (back) out for the wild-card series due to back spasms that cropped up on Sunday. Fried made his second All-Star team in 2024 and was solid for Atlanta, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings over 29 starts. He led the league with two complete games, including one shutout. Fried faced SD once, back on May 17, taking the loss while allowing three earned runs with three walks and two K's in 4 1/3 innings.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was dominant on Friday night, coming just one out short of a complete-game shutout in the Braves' 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. Fried gave up just three hits en route to recording his 11th win of the season. With the Braves fighting hard for a wild-card spot, Fried's performance gives them a ton of flexibility in the bullpen over the weekend. The lefty and his 3.25 ERA were a massive help to an ailing roster, providing consistency for the Braves throughout all of 2024. Fantasy managers are thrilled with his performance this season, and Fried will be a very important piece to the Braves if they make it into October.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried made his first start since July 11 on Sunday, but didn't have his usual stuff and took the loss in a 7-0 defeat against the Miami Marlins. Fried allowed five runs on four hits and a whopping five walks in 3 IP. He did manage to strike out six, but it was hardly a consolation prize for him or fantasy managers. The lefty was dealing with forearm neuritis before coming into this start, and whether that is still affecting him or he is just rust is up for debate. Either way, fantasy managers should sit Fried until he shows he is startable again.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) is being activated off the 15-day IL to start on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Marlins. Fried hit the injured list in late July due to forearm neuritis but clearly did not face any setbacks as he returned very quickly. Prior to the injury, the southpaw posted a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 34:95 BB:K ratio. In his past five starts, the 30-year-old has held a 2.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Under the hood, Fried boasts a 59.3% ground ball rate, 33.2% hard-hit rate, and a 5.2% barrel rate, which suggest he should continue to post excellent ratios in the second half. Fried will be a popular play in DFS this afternoon as he will face the Marlins who carry one of the worst records in baseball.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Friday and is a candidate for Sunday's start at Truist Park against the visiting division-rival Miami Marlins. Fried was placed on the 15-day IL on July 21, retroactive to July 18, after feeling discomfort in his left forearm during warmups prior to pitching an inning in the mid-July All-Star Game, but it sounds like he'll be able to skip a brief minor-league rehab assignment and get right back into Atlanta's rotation as soon as this weekend. The 30-year-old All-Star left-hander took a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 95:34 K:BB across 108 innings with him to the shelf, and he'll be in a great spot for fantasy purposes if he indeed returns to take the hill against the last-place Marlins on Sunday. Stay tuned for more clarity on the Braves' rotation plans for this weekend.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried (forearm), who is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Friday, said he felt good after ramping up activities on Saturday and threw in the outfield before Sunday's contest against the New York Mets and showed no lingering effects of nerve inflammation. Manager Brian Snitker said he didn't know if Fried would require a minor-league rehab start once he's cleared to pitch. The 30-year-old southpaw went on the IL coming out of the All-Star break after he felt discomfort while warming up for the scoreless inning he pitched in the Midsummer Classic. Fried still has some hurdles to clear before he's back in the Braves' starting rotation, so fantasy managers are going to have to stay patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot. He's been great this year, going 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 95 K's in 108 innings over his 18 starts.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left forearm neuritis. In a corresponding move, the Braves promoted left-handed pitcher Dylan Dodd from Triple-A. This transaction was backdated to July 18, which could set up an early August return for Fried. The 30-year-old has posted a strong 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 34:95 BB:K ratio across 108 frames this season. At Triple-A, Dodd has logged 83 innings to the tune of a 4.99 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The 26-year-old could contend for the fifth spot in the rotation with Bryce Elder, who has struggled in the majors this season with a hefty 6.35 ERA.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried suffered a tough-luck loss versus the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 1-0 loss on Thursday evening. The lefty went six innings and allowed one run, five hits, three walks and recorded seven strikeouts in the contest. The upcoming free-agent hit some bumps in the road earlier this season, but for the most part and been one of the better arms in all of baseball. On the season, the 30-year-old is 7-5 with a healthy 3.08 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 108 innings. As one of the best arms in the game, managers should feel comfortable starting Fried in all of his starts.

Atlanta Braves starter Max Fried allowed one run on six hits across six innings of work during Sunday's 3-1 win over the New York Yankees. He struck out four batters without issuing a walk. Fried's full arsenal was on display in this one as he threw seven different types of pitches. He now owns a 7-3 record, 3.00 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 80:27 K:BB through 90 innings this season. Fried is one of the most trustworthy fantasy starters in the game and can be rolled out with confidence in his next projected start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried continued to impress in Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Red Sox. Fried pitched seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with a season-high 13 strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 30-year-old struggled in his first two starts of the season but has looked like himself since and is now 6-2 with a 3.05 ERA, an 8.19 K/9 rate, and a 2.69 BB/9 rate in 12 starts and 73 2/3 IP. He will have a good opportunity to turn in more gaudy stats in his next scheduled start at the Nationals.