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Guardians give David Fry injury update after slugger was hit in the face with 99 mph pitch
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- Guardians give David Fry injury update after slugger was hit in the face with 99 mph pitch
CLEVELAND — David Fry was discharged Sept. 24 from the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus after being hospitalized overnight, the Guardians announced.
Fry suffered facial and nasal fractures, according to the team's statement. Fry is expected to fully recover in the next six to eight weeks without the need for surgery.
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As Fry attempted to bunt Sept. 23 in the sixth inning of Cleveland's 5-2 win over Detroit, his face absorbed a 99-mph pitch from Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The shocking, frightening moment resulted in Fry being carted off the field with a towel held to his face.
Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez was recalled from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers to take the place of Fry, who was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Sept. 24 he and other members of the team visited Fry in the hospital. Vogt said Fry was "in great spirits" and "joking around." Vogt also revealed Skubal visited Fry in the hospital, adding the 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner "is an unbelievable human." Skubal told Detroit reporters Vogt drove him to the hospital.
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"[Fry is] a tough, tough kid, and we're just super thankful that he's home and resting," Vogt said. "His family's coming to town, so they'll be back together as a family tonight. It's going to be a little bit of a journey for him, right? I mean, we don't know the extent. I mean, we know what's going on, but it's going to take some time to really see what's going on, and so he's going to be out."
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Vogt said Fry wore bandages during their visit.
"I left feeling like he's himself," Vogt said. "He's injured. He's hurting. He's in a ton of pain. But as far as life goes, he's going to OK. Any time with a head injury, you worry about the long-term effects of that, but he's been cleared of any kind of brain, head-type stuff, so that's really what matters. Broken bones heal, not to mean he's not going to be in pain, but we're all really, really happy that David's OK."
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Guardians news: David Fry taken to hospital after hit in face by Tarik Skubal pitch
Cleveland Guardians' David Fry reacts after he was hit in the face by a pitch against the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 23, 2025, in Cleveland.
In Vogt's postgame news conference Sept. 23, he said Fry did not lose consciousness at Progressive Field after being hit by the pitch.
Fry, 29, waved to the crowd as he was ferried off the field. He was taken to Lutheran Medical Center before being transferred to the Cleveland Clinic for further testing and observation, the Guardians said in a statement.
This season, Fry is batting .171 with 23 RBIs, eight home runs, four doubles and a .592 OPS in 146 at-bats.
Fry made the MLB All-Star Game last season as a utility player, but he underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in November. Fry returned to action on June 1. He has been limited to designated-hitter duties this year.
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This story has been updated with new information.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: David Fry injury update after slugger hit in face with 99 mph pitch
