Max Fried named Yankees' Opening Day starter

The left-hander will lead the Yankees' rotation to start the 2026 season.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Max Fried will start on Opening Day for the New York Yankees when they begin the 2026 season against the San Francisco Giants on March 25 in San Francisco. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed the decision Monday night following the Yankees' 5-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.

Why it matters

Fried is expected to be the ace of the Yankees' rotation in 2026 after signing an eight-year, $218 million contract with the team prior to the 2025 season. His Opening Day start will be his fifth career Opening Day nod, having previously started for the Atlanta Braves.

The details

The left-hander signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with New York prior to the 2025 season and delivered an impressive first year with the club. Fried finished 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA, setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (195.1), and strikeouts (189) while earning American League All-Star honors.

  • Max Fried will start on Opening Day for the New York Yankees on March 25, 2026.
  • Fried previously started on Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The players

Max Fried

A left-handed pitcher who signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees prior to the 2025 season.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“Max Fried will start on Opening Day for the New York Yankees when they begin the 2026 season against the San Francisco Giants on March 25 in San Francisco.”

— Aaron Boone, Manager (fingerlakes1.com)

The takeaway

Fried's Opening Day start for the Yankees signals his status as the team's ace and a key piece of their rotation as they look to contend for a World Series title in 2026.