ATLANTA — All eyes remained on Max Fried’s hand, rather than his arm, as he arrived at his former home.
The Yankees ace said the blister that developed on his left index finger Saturday is improving, which has left him hopeful that he can avoid a trip to the injured list.
“It’s getting better, definitely down,” Fried said at Monday’s All-Star availability. “We’re going to see if we can maximize the time during the break here. … We’re going to take it day by day.”
The timing of the blister — in the second-to-last game before the break — is at least encouraging for Fried, who won’t pitch in Tuesday’s game and could be slotted further back in the rotation after the hiatus to buy a few extra days for the blister to heal.
“If there was a time to get it, this was the one,” said Fried, who added that “ideally” he would not miss any time.
Still, he did not say definitively that he would not need a stint on the injured list.
Fried missed time with blisters in four seasons with the Braves and said he “absolutely” has learned a lot regarding how to deal with them.
The injury represented a bit of misfortune for a pitcher who otherwise had reason to be in good spirits.
Fried was back at his first home at Truist Park, where he pitched for eight seasons with the Braves.
“It’s definitely special, being able to come back and see a lot of familiar faces,” said Fried, who has been brilliant in his first season in The Bronx. “It’s been really nice. Still early on, haven’t been able to see people on the field yet, but I’m excited to experience this and take it all in.”
American League manager Aaron Boone penciled in Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres as his leadoff hitter.
“He’s had an outstanding year for what’s been the best record in the American League so far, the Detroit Tigers,” the Yankees manager said of his former second baseman, who owns a career-best .387 OBP this season. “He’s been a tone-setter for them at the top, getting on base at an amazing clip.”
Aaron Judge will bat third, behind Torres and Riley Green and before Cal Raleigh.
Shohei Ohtani will lead off for the National League.
A panel led by ESPN’s Pat McAfee and featuring Dodgers/NL manager Dave Roberts was asked about MLB rewarding Atlanta with an All-Star Game four years after taking the game away from Georgia following the state passing laws that restricted voting — laws that remain.
McAfee attempted to dodge the question and praised Atlanta as a city, as did Roberts — who had supported MLB’s decision four years ago.
“I do feel that I’m excited to be here. I think that it’s a great city,” Roberts said. “I think baseball fans are excited to be here and celebrate these great athletes. I’m not a politician.”
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