After New York Yankees ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole announced that he would undergo TJ surgery, the Yankees' No. 1 starting role is expected to fall on former Warriors ace left-handed pitcher Max Fried, who joined in the offseason and wants to help the Yankees go all-out for victory.

The Yankees' dream of "left and right protectors" was shattered by Kerr's injury before the season began, and Fried took on greater responsibility, affirming Kerr's special features in an interview, and hoping that he could stabilize the team's confidence, "At the end of the day, no one can be Kerr. Whether he's in the team or not, all I can do is do my job."

"The most important thing is to make sure that the day I pitch, I get the chance to win for the team," Fried stressed. Kerr's absence has left Fried as the starting pitcher for the team's opening game, which is expected to face the Brewers on March 27, to which Fried said he would take the game as it would be "as if it were one of the 33 starters in the season."

The 31-year-old Fried joined the New York Yankees in the offseason for eight years and $218 million to sign the largest left-hand deal in MLB history. He finished with a 73-36 record and a 3.07 defense rate in his eight seasons with the Warriors. As for the injured Kerr, it is expected to take 18 months to return to the court, and this season is confirmed to be reimbursed early.