TORONTO — Slowly but steadily, Max Fried is making progress.
The Yankees’ left-handed ace, out with a bone bruise, has been cleared for mound work after having his left elbow reimaged. He is scheduled to throw a low-intensity bullpen session on Saturday.
“I think he’s just a touch-and-feel tomorrow,” Aaron Boone said Friday before the Yankees’ series-opener against the Blue Jays. “And then, hopefully, he can progress on the mound and then see where that leads.”
Fried started catch play on May 25 — Boone said he’s been asymptomatic since — and recently graduated to 120 feet on flat ground. He hasn’t pitched in a game since his early exit against the Orioles on May 13, and he still has some hurdles to clear before that changes.
“The MRI is showing continued healing, so he has been cleared to do this next step of getting on the mound,” Boone said. “Doesn’t mean he’s been cleared to get into that next point of a game. There’s still gotta be some improvement, but he’s doing well.”
Fried, in his second season with the Yankees, posted a 3.21 ERA over 10 starts before going on the injured list.
THE MARTIAN’S PLANS
The Yankees could have activated Jasson Domínguez (AC joint sprain) ahead of Friday’s game against the Jays. Instead, his rehab assignment continued at Triple-A.
The Bombers planned on Domínguez playing 7-9 innings in rehab games on Friday and Saturday and then reevaluating what to do with him after the weekend. The Yankees want him to build up more before potentially joining the active roster, and a few more rehab games gives him a chance to get extra reps in right field with Aaron Judge on the injured list.
REHAB FOR WELLS?
Boone said that Austin Wells (headaches) has been symptom-free since resuming baseball activities earlier this week. The Yankees will get through the weekend before deciding if the catcher needs any rehab games.