David Fry takes huge step toward return to being super utility player for Guardians

On Sunday, David Fry caught five innings for the Cleveland Guardians in their 6-0 spring training win over The Athletics. Normally that kind of performance isn’t super remarkable. But that wasn’t the case for Fry, who was making his return behind the dish for the first time since June 2024. 

Although the 20 months that have followed have featured plenty of highs and lows for Fry, the five innings he recorded as a catcher on Sunday was a huge step in a journey that the Guardians are hoping will end with Fry serving as a super utility player again. 

David Fry played catcher for the first time in 20 months over the weekend 

As mentioned above, Fry caught five innings in the Guardians’ win over The Athletics. In 2023 and the first half of ‘24, Fry saw time at catcher, first base, third base and both corner outfield spots and ended up becoming a first time All-Star. 

But his utility dreams were dashed midway through that ‘24 season thanks to an arm injury that he ended up having Tommy John surgery on after the season. 

That surgery kept him out until last June, and he was a relatively ineffective designated hitter before his season ended at the hands of a Tarik Skubal fastball to the face.

But now he’s back, healthy and ready to compete behind the plate. 

David Fry is back working as catcher for the Guardians

“So cool, after a long rehab process, being able to get back there,” Fry said, per MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins. “The boys threw really, really well. It made my job a lot easier. It was just a lot of fun to be back out there.”

While Fry can play all over the diamond, he’s going to spend a majority of time in spring working behind the plate along with seeing some time at first base. 

And Fry arguably provides the most value to the Guardians via his work behind the plate. When Fry was at his healthiest, both Terry Francona and Stephen Vogt took advantage of his versatility by starting him at catcher but moving him around later in the game or inserting him as a pinch-hitter late because they still had another catcher on the bench. 

In 2024, Fry finished the season with a .264 average, 14 home runs and 51 RBI before etching his name into Guardians lore with a magical postseason home run against the Yankees. 

Although the Guardians had some of the worst offensive numbers in baseball last year, they largely stood pat this offseason due to the number of young players and bounce back candidates on the roster. 

Fry falls squarely into the latter, and his appearance at catcher over the weekend was a great step in the right direction.