It will end up just being the minimum for Max. 

After Friday marked Max Fried’s 15th day on the 15-day injured list with a recurring left elbow bone bruise, the Yankees will activate the left-hander Saturday to start one of their games in a doubleheader against the Red Sox. 

While Fried’s IL stay for the same injury cost him two-plus months earlier this season, he will have essentially missed just two turns through the rotation this time, providing a sigh of relief for the organization. 

“I think we were hopeful of that going in, because there was some thought we maybe could have even kept him pitching,” manager Aaron Boone said Friday. “But felt like this was the smarter thing to do to give ourselves the best chance to be in a better place with him in what we hope is a couple more months of playing. He’s responded well.” 

Of course, the question that will loom over Fried the rest of the season is whether the injury will flare up again and if he can effectively pitch through it. 

For now, the Yankees will welcome him back Saturday, albeit on a limited pitch count — likely around 70 — after he threw four innings and 60 pitches of live batting practice Monday. He threw two bullpen sessions around that, clearing the way for him to return to the rotation for a huge showdown against the Red Sox. 

New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Heliot Ramos was in the lineup Friday for the first time in nearly a week — and the first time since Cody Bellinger returned from the injured list. He started in right field entering a weekend in which the Yankees hope he can find some momentum. 

The right-handed-hitting outfielder, acquired from the Giants at the deadline, was batting just 6-for-54 in his first 17 games as a Yankee. But only 11 of those at-bats came against lefties as the Yankees went through a heavy stretch of opposing right-handers. 

“This is one of the big reasons we brought him in, is what we think he can be against left-handed pitching,” Boone said. “Unfortunately since we’ve brought him in, we haven’t seen any left-handed pitching. With Belli out, he was in there every single day — not that we don’t expect him to hit righties some too. We do. But this is where we felt like he could thrive. 

“It’s only one weekend series, but he has the ability to go out there and do well hopefully and hopefully be in the middle of us winning some games this weekend.” 

New York Yankees left fielder Heliot Ramos (34) reacts after striking out swinging with two runners on to end the sixth inning during a game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

With the Red Sox starting at least three lefties in the four-game set, Ramos will likely get plenty of action. Spencer Jones sat for him Friday, though Boone indicated he would likely play Bellinger and Trent Grisham in only one of Saturday’s doubleheader games each. 

Ryan McMahon (left thumb sprain) could go on a rehab assignment this weekend before likely rejoining the Yankees on Tuesday, when rosters expand to 28 — allowing the Yankees to add him without having to take someone off the roster to make room. 

The Yankees may be avoiding Roman Anthony this weekend. 

The worst-case scenario for them is Anthony returning for the series finale Sunday. 

The rehabbing young slugger will play for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday after a day off Friday, according to interim manager Chad Tracy. Anthony has been out since late May with a partial tear of a tendon in his right ring finger. Tracy said a Sunday return is “possible.” 

Shortstop Trevor Story is also with Worcester rehabbing a sports hernia injury and could be back with Anthony on Sunday. 

It is likely that Red Sox setup man Garrett Whitlock (right elbow inflammation) will be activated Saturday, according to Tracy.