Guardians DH David Fry will miss rest of season after being hit in face by 99.6-mph fastball

Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Sep 24, 2025

Published in Baseball

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Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry, a Grapevine (Texas) High School product, was hit with a 99.6-mph fastball on a bunt attempt Tuesday at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Fry was taken to the Lutheran Medical Center and was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for further evaluation, according to the Athletic.

After the incident, Fry, stayed on the ground as trainers tended to the injury. He was able to walk under his own power before being carted off the field.

The Guardians said in a statement Wednesday that Fry has multiple fractures and will be out for six to eight weeks, meaning he will miss the rest of the season.

Detroit Tigers All-Star Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, threw the pitch that hit Fry. He has a 2.21 ERA and is second in the majors with 241 strikeouts.

The Guardians ended up capturing a 5-2 victory to take the lead in the AL Central by virtue of a tiebreaker over Detroit. The Tigers and Guardians have 85-72 records ahead of the final stretch of the regular season. The squads will continue their three-game series Wednesday and Thursday.

The Guardians have won 11 of their past 12 games and 16 of 18 to create a race for the AL Central crown that the Tigers appeared to have locked up. Detroit has lost seven straight and 10 of 11.

Skubal reached out to Fry via text after the game, according to MLive Media Group.

“I’ve already reached out to him,” Skubal said. “I’m sure his phone’s blowing up. I just want to make sure he’s all right. He seemed OK coming off the field, and hopefully it stays that way. I look forward to, hopefully tonight or tomorrow morning, getting a text from him and making sure he’s all good. There are things that are bigger than the game, and his health is more important than a baseball game.”

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Fry stayed conscious.

“We are all thinking about David and his family right now,” Vogt said. “Obviously, we’re glad he is OK. But obviously, it is a really scary moment. ... We’re thinking about him.”

After graduating from Grapevine, Fry went to Northwestern State, where he was a four-time All-Southland Conference selection. He was drafted 215th by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 MLB draft.

As a senior with Grapevine, Fry hit .430 with two home runs. He was named the District 6-5A MVP.

Fry made the All-Star team for the first time last season. He is batting .171 with eight home runs in 66 games this season.