Guardians Injuries: Lane Thomas out for the year, David Fry update

While the Cleveland Guardians’ 5-2 win over the Tigers on Tuesday pushed the Guardians into the lead in the American League Central, it wasn’t without some negatives in regard to injuries. 

While the biggest example of that came in the sixth inning when Tarik Skubal hit David Fry directly in the face with a 99 mile per hour fastball, we also got a pregame update about Lane Thomas that could end up having a huge impact once we get to the offseason. 

It looks like David Fry and Lane Thomas won’t contribute to the Guardians’ postseason push

Progressive Field went from a raucous party to a quiet cathedral in a matter of seconds on Tuesday when Fry was hit in the face with Skubal’s fastball. Fry was attempting to lay down on a bunt when Skubal went up and in and Fry was unable to get out of the way before the pitch got him in the face. 

Fry was on the ground for about five minutes, but he was able to get up under his own power and was carted off the field. Manager Stephen Vogt said after the game that Fry was conscious the whole time, but he’s undergoing further assessment at Lutheran Medical Center, where he was held overnight. 

While we don’t know the extent of Fry’s injury, it’s hard to believe he won’t end up spending some time on the injured list, which means the Guardians will need to dip even more into their depth as the postseason approaches. 

Lane Thomas 

Prior to Fry leaving the game with an injury, the Guardians also offered an update on Lane Thomas, who has only played in 39 games this year and has been out since the beginning of July. 

Most of the time that Thomas has missed has been due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and he underwent surgery Tuesday to address that issue. While it was already assumed that his season was going to end, the surgery has a recovery time of three to four months. 

Although Thomas’ rough season would be disappointing regardless, it’s even more disappointing when you consider that he’s set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. Had he put together the same kind of year as last year, he likely would have been able to ink a multi-year contract that could have likely paid him upwards of $15 million a year. Instead he’s now going to have to settle for a one-year “prove it” deal as a platoon and/or fourth outfielder. 

In the meantime, the Guardians have primarily gone with Angel Martínez in center field alongside Nolan Jones in right field. 

The injuries to Jones, Thomas and Fry means that we should see plenty of Geroge Valera, Johnkensy Noel and Petey Halpin in October.