Cleveland Guardians player David Fry was hospitalized on Tuesday, September 23, after a horrifying moment in the sixth inning of their game against the Detroit Tigers.
Fry, 29, attempted to bunt a 99 mph fastball from Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but the pitch missed the bat completely and struck him directly in the face.
He collapsed instantly, gripping his face as medical staff sprinted out to help.
Despite the severity of the blow, Fry remained conscious, and was able to stand with assistance and walk to a cart.
Fry was first transported to Lutheran Medical Center, and later transferred to Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for more extensive evaluation and overnight observation.
“He’s getting tested,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said to the media after the game. “He stayed conscious the whole time. Definitely some injuries there, so I’ll give you an update tomorrow.”
Vogt, 40, added confirmation that the ball struck Fry directly in the face, rather than glancing off his bat.
Fry, who entered Tuesday hitting .171 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 66 games after earning an All-Star nod in 2024, now faces an uncertain timetable.
Skubal, the pitcher whose fastball resulted in the incident, appeared visibly disturbed by the event.
“It’s really tough,” Skubal, 28, said postgame. “I’ve already reached out to him … just want to make sure he’s all right. I hope it stays that way. The health of him is more important than a baseball game.”
The pitch was officially ruled a foul ball, so Fry did not lose the at-bat. Guardians outfielder George Valera came in as a pinch-hitter and struck out.
Once play resumed, the turbulence didn’t stop for Skubal. He issued a wild pitch, made a throwing error under pressure, and was called for a balk, all in the same inning.
The Guardians plated three runs in the inning, highlighted by an RBI groundout from third baseman José Ramírez, as Detroit’s miscues opened the door. The Guardians pounced, loading the bases and driving in runs to shift momentum. Cleveland ultimately emerged with a 5-2 victory.
The game carried major implications in the AL Central standings. Both clubs ended the night with identical records, and the outcome kept the race for the divisional crown wide open with less than two weeks left in the regular season.
The Guardians and Tigers continue their three-game series Wednesday, September 24, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.