Acce s the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. DENVER Back when Aaron Judge still had to face Max Fried, whenever he did get on first base, he would not budge until the ball cro sed the plate. Perhaps opposing teams will eventually adapt that approach, but until then, the Yankees are better off for it as Fried continues to unleash his deadly pickoff move. The left-hander nabbed a pair of runners at first base in a span of three innings Saturday, allowing him to settle into another strong outing as the Yankees . Its disgusting, Cody Bellinger said with a chuckle. The Pickoff King New York Yankees (@Yankees) Max Fried picks off a Rockies runner during the third inning of the Yankees 13-1 blowout win over Rockies on May 24, 2025. Screengrab via X/@Yankees Just from the times Ive faced him and been on first base, I dont think Ive moved, Judge said. I think Ive just stared at him and waited till I saw that ball in the catchers glove before I took my lead. Its impre sive. On a day when he gave up just one run acro s 7 / innings, Fried gave up a pair of singles in the first three innings. But both were quickly erased at first base on pickoffs to eliminate any kind of Noah Vonleh Jersey momentum for the Rockies. Fried finished his outing leading the majors with five pickoffs this season. Max Fried starts his pickoff move during the third inning of the Yankees win. Screengrab via X/@Yankees Explore More I take pride in being able to control the running game, Fried said. Being able to keep them station to station and not take second base is a big one, especially putting them in scoring position. I enjoy it. Fried nearly had a third pickoff Saturday, but his throw got past Paul Goldschmidt at first base and led to the only run the Rockies scored off him. Its the best move Ive seen, Goldschmidt said. Definitely remember being on first base as an opposing base runner and trying to stay as close to the base as po sible. Fortunately I get to see it a lot more, so I get used to it a little bit more. Max Fried throws a pitch during the Yankees win over the Rockies on May 24. Getty Images Sometimes you see guys hold runners and then theyre not executing their pitch to the hitter. He does such a good job where hes paying full attention to the base runner, but also executing his pitches. Fernando Cruz (shoulder inflammation) played catch in the outfield Saturday morning as he continued to keep his arm active since . That was a good sign, Boone said. He did all his plyo ball stuff [Friday] into throwing today. So that was encouraging. It was pretty good intensity to it. So hell have another recovery day of throwing [Sunday] and then as the week unfolds, hopefully we get him back on the mound sometime when were in California. But well see. If that is the case, its po sible that Cruz could end up just mi sing close to the minimum of 15 days, which was his hope from the start. Jake Cousins, who was already on the injured list with a forearm strain before recently with a pec i sue after his last live batting practice, threw a bullpen se sion of 30-plus pitches on Friday. [It] went well by all accounts, Boone said. Hopefully now work back to getting close to getting to that rehab a signment. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Marcus Stroman (knee inflammation) threw another bullpen se sion Saturday at Coors Field, but it still remains to be seen when he will advance to facing hitters. He last did so on May 9, when he was still experiencing discomfort in his knee. Torrey Craig Jersey