TAMPA, Fla. — Besides the humongous paychecks Max Fried signed up for when picking the Yankees during his winter free agency, $27.25 million for the next eight seasons for a grand total of $218 million, the now ex-Atlanta Braves staff ace was looking forward to being a No. 1A starter.

Plans for a pair of aces are on hold with Gerrit Cole out for the 2025 season before it began, pushing Max Fried to the front of the New York Yankees' rotation.

Max Fried is now the de facto ace for the New York Yankees. Gerrit Cole is going to miss the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, and up-and-comer Luis Gil — the reigning AL Rookie of the Year — is going to miss at least three months with a lat strain.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole decided on Tommy John surgery Monday, the procedure was done Tuesday in Los Angeles and the expected aftermath elevates Max Fried to No. 1 starter. The Yankees’ $218 million free agent signing indeed will be regarded as the new staff ace,

Access 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 from spring training Try it free TAMPA — Add one more quirk to a Yankees rotation that has become quirky: Without their No.