Guardians utilityman David Fry was recognized to be receiving session from Dr. Keith Meister a couple of lingering proper elbow damage, and MLB.com’s Mandy Bell (X hyperlink) stories that Fry needed to endure a surgical procedure to appropriate the problem. As outlined by the Guardians (through X), Fry underwent a hybrid/inner brace and tendon reconstruction surgical procedure to handle a flexor pressure and a “chronically inadequate” UCL.
Fry will want 12 months to return to motion as a fielder, so he’ll be restricted to DH obligation for the whole lot of the 2025 season. Even in that case, Fry will want 6-8 months simply to return as a delegated hitter, so he’ll be sidelined for not less than the beginning of subsequent season.
It’s a troublesome flip of occasions for each Fry and the Guardians, as his defensive versatility made him a uniquely invaluable asset on Cleveland’s roster. Ostensibly a backup catcher, Fry has bounced everywhere in the diamond throughout his two MLB seasons, banking nearly as many innings at first base and as a nook outfielder (129 innings in left, 67 in proper) as he has behind the plate, and Fry has additionally made a handful of appearances at third base.
This utilization was curtailed halfway by means of the 2024 season as Fry’s elbow problem started to floor. After June 23, he made just one look at catcher and 10 appearances at first base, in any other case enjoying solely as a DH and pinch-hitter. There was a transparent affect on Fry’s manufacturing, as he had a scorching-hot 1.046 OPS over his first 159 plate appearances of the season, and a much more modest .649 OPS over his closing 233 journeys to the plate.
The general outcome was nonetheless a .263/.356/.448 slash line and 14 homers in 392 PA, and Fry’s 129 wRC+ ranked third on the staff behind Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan. Fry stored it going within the playoffs, hitting .286/.333/.536 with two homers over 31 October plate appearances, highlighted by his Tenth-inning walkoff homer in Recreation 3 of the ALCS.
Cleveland was anticipated to pursue hitting assist this winter anyway, so shedding certainly one of their high bats to a brace surgical procedure additional units again the Guardians’ quest for offense. Within the best-case situation, Fry will be capable of return to Cleveland’s lineup in early April, and he’ll assume not less than a share of the common DH position. The suitable-handed hitting Fry was much more productive in opposition to lefties than righties this season, so a left-handed bat like Kyle Manzardo may be in line to get the lion’s share of the DH at-bats anyway as soon as Fry finally returns.
After all, fairly a bit may be in flux with the Guardians’ first base/DH scenario this winter, as Josh Naylor is extensively seen as a commerce candidate as he enters his final yr of staff management. If Naylor was dealt and Fry wants extra restoration time, it leaves Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel as an inexperienced pair of first-choice candidates for first base and DH obligation, which could make Cleveland somewhat extra apt to hold onto Naylor.
On the catching aspect, Bo Naylor will proceed to obtain the majority of begins behind the plate, and no one could be shocked if defensive specialist Austin Hedges is re-signed to once more function the backup. Fry will probably be missed within the outfield as effectively, although it was anticipated that the Guardians would look to bolster the outfield combine anyway with a brand new addition.
