Fried, Stroman staying sharp early in Yanks Spring Training

TAMPA, Fla. -- Max Fried has spent the better part of two weeks getting to know his new teammates around Yankees camp, swapping anecdotes and pleasantries. On Tuesday, those introductions included a steady diet of fastballs, curveballs and changeups.

“It’s always weird facing your own guys; you don’t want to come in too hard and hit anyone,” Fried said. “But I’m feeling really good so far.”

Matched against hitters like Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez and Paul Goldschmidt, Fried tossed three innings and approximately 40 pitches, mixing in his variety of offerings. Judge had a hard single, but otherwise Fried seemed in command.

“I have so many pitches that it’s about trying to execute them, finding spots and a feel to throw it,” Fried said. “It might not be the best pitch for whatever the situation is, but we’re working on being able to throw a bunch of different things, trying to throw it over the plate and execute it.”

With the Bombers falling, 5-4, in Tuesday's road Grapefruit League exhibition against the Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., Marcus Stroman was among the pitchers who also touched the mound, tossing approximately 35 pitches over two innings.

Stroman had initially been scheduled to start against the Twins, which would have been his second spring outing, but he remained behind for live batting practice following Monday’s rainout against the Red Sox.

“I feel pretty sharp,” Stroman said. “It’s still early, but I feel pretty sharp at this point. We’ve had so much time to build. I feel like I had a good offseason with my body. I’m someone who loves being in the weight room. My body feels good and my mind feels good. When my mind feels good, I’m usually pretty good out there.”

Looking ahead
Chase Hampton -- ranked by MLB Pipeline as New York's No. 6 prospect -- returned to Yankees camp on Tuesday, sporting a large brace after the right-handed pitching prospect underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery last week.

“Honestly, I was kind of hoping it was torn, because I was dealing with it for a while,” Hampton said. “I’ve had three partial tears in [the ulnar collateral ligament], so it was time to have it. Before I even found out, I was kind of at peace with it. I was feeling good about it.”

Hampton said he will remain in Tampa this season to rehab at the club’s player development complex. He won’t be fully recovered in time for Spring Training 2026, but expects to be pitching in games sometime between next May and July.

“It’s frustrating that I don’t get to play this year, but honestly, I’m in a good spot,” Hampton said. “I’m kind of happy about it because it’s gotten fixed. I have a full year to rehab it, get stronger, get better and come back swinging next year.”

Eye opener
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he has been impressed by left-hander Tyler Matzek, who tossed a perfect seventh inning in his spring debut on Tuesday against the Twins.

“You watch him and you feel like we’ve got something there,” Boone said. “Obviously he was a premier reliever, and then some injuries set him back the last couple of years, but he looks really good.”

Matzek was an integral part of the Braves’ bullpen from 2020-22, when he pitched to a 2.92 ERA across 132 games and recorded big outs in October, including during Atlanta’s push for a 2021 World Series title.

He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, spent the ’23 season rehabbing and missed most of ’24 with left elbow inflammation.

“Early signs point to him [that he] could absolutely factor in,” Boone said. “Matzek, just because of his resume and what he’s been, and not knowing what to expect personally -- he’s come in and really jumped out.”