A season-defining game at Progressive Field on Tuesday evening took a frightening turn. Guardians DH David Fry was struck in the face by a pitch and was immediately carted off for treatment. The team stated Fry was first sent to Lutheran Medical Center before being transferred to the Cleveland Clinic, where he would remain overnight for observation.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt provided a brief postgame update. “He’s getting tested. He’s stayed conscious the whole time,” Vogt said. “Definitely some injuries there. So I’ll give you an update tomorrow.” While Cleveland anxiously awaits further news, Tarik Skubal, who threw the pitch, demonstrated compassion beyond the diamond.
Detroit Tigers ace Skubal’s only concern was Fry’s well-being. “It’s really tough,” Skubal stated. “I’ve already reached out to him. I’m sure his phone’s blowing up. I just want to make sure he’s all right. He seemed okay coming off the field, and hopefully it stays that way. I know sometimes with those things, they can change, so hopefully he’s alright. But I look forward to, hopefully at some point tonight or tomorrow morning, getting a text from him and making sure he’s all good, because there’s things that are bigger than the game, and the health of him is more important than a baseball game.”
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The incident happened in the sixth inning, with runners on first and third. Fry had squared to bunt against Skubal’s 99 mph fastball, which ricocheted straight into his face. He dropped instantly, covering his head. Medical staff and manager Stephen Vogt, along with trainers Jeff Desjardins, Chad Wolfe, and team doctor Kim Stearns, rushed to the scene. Skubal discarded his cap and glove, visibly shaken, while concern spread among both teams.
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After a long pause, Fry rose and was transported off the field on a cart. Umpires declared the pitch a foul ball. George Valera entered as Fry’s replacement, and Skubal’s very next pitch was a wild one, tying the game. A subsequent balk contributed to the Guardians scoring three more runs, ultimately clinching a 5-2 victory and moving into a tie for first with Detroit.
More than just a game..the human element
Both dugouts voiced concern for Fry after the game. Cleveland manager Vogt remarked, “We’re all thinking about David and his family right now… Obviously, we’re glad he’s OK, but obviously, it’s a really scary moment. I’m thinking about him.” Teammate Steven Kwan added, “Definitely really scary. For David to even try something like that (bunt), that’s just who he is. Selfless kind of guy… he’s a tough guy.”
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This injury is a tough setback for Fry, an All-Star last season. The 29-year-old Texas native is hitting .171 with eight homers and 23 RBIs this year, including an 0-for-3 in this game. It’s well below his breakout 2024, when he hit .263 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs.
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Skubal took the loss after an unsteady inning, finishing the night with his sixth defeat in 31 appearances and maintaining a 2.21 ERA over 195.1 innings this season. The game served as a critical contest for both teams in the AL Central. The Tigers entered leading the division by a single game after squandering a massive 15.5-game edge, with nine losses in their last ten; the surging Guardians have now won nine of their last ten.
This scary moment inevitably recalls the tragic story of Cleveland’s Ray Chapman, who passed away in 1920 after being struck by a pitch. Despite that, helmets did not become mandatory until 1971. While MLB rules and equipment have rendered the sport much safer in modern times, the risks remain starkly real today.