Guardians’ All-Star Fry undergoes elbow surgery | News, sports, jobs

David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians breaks his bat while hitting a single against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

CLEVELAND – Guardians All-Star and postseason star David Fry has undergone reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and is expected to need at least six months of rehab and recovery before he can hit for the defending AL Central champions.

The team said Monday that Fry, an invaluable utility player, underwent surgery Wednesday in Dallas. Fry was unable to catch or play in the field in the final months of this season due to soreness in his elbow.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister, who repaired Fry’s damaged ulnar collateral ligament using a technique involving a hybrid/internal brace and a tendon graft. The surgery also addressed a strained flexor tendon.

The brace is believed to speed the healing process compared to traditional Tommy John surgery, which typically results in a 12 to 15 month recovery.

The Guardians expect Fry to need six to eight months before he can be their designated hitter. It will take another year of recovery before he can play in the field.

The 28-year-old Fry hit .263 this season with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. Fry believes he hurt his elbow on a throw to second base during a catch against Toronto in June.

Stuck in the playoffs, he hit a go-ahead homer in Game 4 in Detroit as the Guardians rallied to win the AL Division Series, and connected for a walk-off, two-run homer in the 10th inning to cap the beat New York. Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS.

The Guardians had several other roster moves. Outfielder Myles Straw accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus. Also, reliever James Karinchak was activated from the 60-day injured list outright and entered free agency.

The team also activated left-hander Sam Hentges and right-hander Trevor Stephan from the 60-day injured list.