This story was excerpted from Tim Stebbins' Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CLEVELAND -- When asked during a recent media session whether he missed playing the field for the Guardians, David Fry acknowledged the obvious: of course, he does. As Fry put it, he’s a baseball player, and hitting is only half of the game.
But the 29-year-old is also keeping a wise perspective and the big picture in mind as he continues his throwing rehab progression, following the UCL revision surgery he underwent on his right elbow last November.
“I like to think of myself as a catcher who plays other positions, so the big thing is being healthy to catch,” Fry said. “… I think the main thing is being ready to catch Day 1 next year.”
After Fry underwent surgery nine months ago, the Guardians said his expected timeline to return as a DH was six to eight months. But the timeline for him to return to game activity as a position player was 12 months.
It’s why Fry, whose defensive versatility is one of his calling cards, has been limited to DH and pinch-hit opportunities since he made his season debut on June 1. And while catching is not in the cards this year, the good news is Fry continues to progress in his throwing program.
Fry is throwing out at 90 feet right now, and he said his arm strength feels “really good.”
“It feels really solid,” Fry added. “I’m just kind of taking it day by day. Obviously, last year didn't feel good. I was trying to keep it holding on by a thread. It feels strong. Everything seems to be going really well and [I hope to] keep it going.”
Fry’s elbow began to bother him in late June last year, and consequently, the Guardians used him only at first base, DH and as a pinch-hitter over the season’s final few months. In the first half, it was not uncommon for him to rotate between multiple positions in a game, between catcher, the corner infield and corner outfield spots.
Last season, on April 14 against the Yankees, Fry started at first base, moved to catcher in-game and then back to first. On May 10 against the White Sox, he started at first, moved behind the plate and then to left.
Versatility is valuable for any team, certainly one that philosophically preaches it like the Guardians -- and certainly when you have it in a catcher who can seamlessly move around the diamond.
"[Having three catchers] makes everything easier, interchangeable," associate manager Craig Albernaz said. “It was easier with Fry as well, just because [then], we can stagger the playing time.
“… Having a third catcher allows you that cadence to get guys rest and days off and check in on their bodies. Because at the end of the day, it's such a grind with these guys, especially mentally. That's the biggest thing."
Albernaz noted Fry’s throwing program work has included working on his arm stroke, to get it to a place where he does not have to change it, whether he’s behind the plate, on the infield or on the outfield grass.
While there is a long way between where Fry is and getting back behind the dish, the current trend has been encouraging.
“Our medical staff has done a great job with David,” Albernaz said. “But right now he's at 90 feet, and he's throwing the ball really well.”