ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — When the division series makes its way to The Bronx, Max Fried will get the ball first for the Yankees. 

The club plans to start Fried for Wednesday’s Game 3 followed by Carlos Rodón for Thursday’s Game 4, if the Yankees can get it there, manager Aaron Boone said Monday before a slop-filled 5-2 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Fried would pitch on six days of rest. Rodón would be on six days of rest from the four-inning simulated game he threw last Thursday at Yankee Stadium, though he hasn’t pitched in a real game since Sept. 22 (eight shutout innings against the Rays). 

New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried throws a pitch during the first inning of Game 2 of the Wild Card against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Robert Sabo for New York Post

“Just like how it lines up for Max 3 and Carlos 4, how we’ve been building them out,” Boone said. “It keeps certain guys available in certain situations. Obviously, it’s always subject to change based on how the series unfolds. But that’s how we’re planning on going right now.” 

Rodón had been available out of the bullpen for the wild-card series, though the Yankees did not need him, before being in consideration to start Game 1 of the ALDS before Boone landed on Gerrit Cole. Theoretically, the Yankees could use Rodón out of the bullpen in Game 3 if they absolutely need to and start Cole in Game 4, since he would be on normal rest. 

Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón #55 during warm ups. Charles Wenzelberg for New York Post

If not, Cole could be a bullpen option later in the series. 

“I hope I never have to [use him in relief],” Boone said.