David Fry DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Cleveland Guardians have activated catcher David Fry (elbow) off the 60-day injured list prior to their contest on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. Fry has been sidelined throughout the opening two months of the campaign as he was recovering from UCL revision surgery. However, while Fry is now cleared to return to the starting nine, he will not be able to play the field this season. Through nine games during his rehab assignment, Fry held a low .103 AVG. However, on Friday evening, Fry launched his first long ball with Triple-A Columbus. Last season, the 29-year-old posted a .263/.356/.448 line with 18 doubles and 14 long balls across 122 games. Fantasy managers in deeper 14+ team formats should consider adding Fry, as he should provide solid power upside. However, he will have a limited role, operating only as a designated hitter.

Cleveland Guardians catcher David Fry (elbow) went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run during his rehab outing with Triple-A Columbus on Friday evening. Fry recently shifted his rehab assignment to Triple-A on May 26. He began his assignment in the ACL and then moved to Double-A last week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be given the clearance to return to the majors in the coming days. Fry has been on the 60-day injured list after undergoing UCL surgery through the first two months of the season. While he could make his MLB season debut soon, he will only be able to be the designated hitter this season and cannot play the field. Last season, Fry was productive, holding a .263/.356/.448 line with 14 long balls and two stolen bases. For now, he is worth stashing in deeper 14+ team leagues and AL-only formats.

The Cleveland Guardians have sent catcher/outfielder David Fry (elbow) from the rookie-level Arizona Complex League to Double-A Akron on his minor-league rehab assignment this week. In three games in the ACL, Fry went 0-for-8 with two walks, three strikeouts and a run scored at the plate as he recovers from UCL revision surgery in his right elbow last November. The 29-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list and will be relegated to designated-hitter duties for the rest of the 2025 season, whether it be in the minors or at the big-league level with Cleveland. The former seventh-round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 out of Northwestern State University of Louisiana was a first-time All-Star in 2024 after slugging 14 homers and driving in 51 in 122 regular-season games, but he could be in a platoon role at DH whenever he returns to the big leagues in 2025.

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that outfielder Lane Thomas (wrist) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment this week with Triple-A Columbus. Outfielder/catcher David Fry (elbow) is also set to start his rehab assignment and play in games in Arizona this week. Thomas is getting close to a return to the MLB roster after being out since April 22 with a bone bruise on his right wrist. The 29-year-old had gone just 7-for-45 (.156) with no homers and two RBI in the early going before his injury, but he should return as Cleveland's primary option in center field when he's activated. If he continues to struggle, though, Angel Martinez could take playing time away from him. Fry will take much longer to return after having UCL revision surgery on his right elbow in November of last year. The 29-year-old will only serve as a designated hitter for the Guardians when he's eventually cleared to make his 2025 debut.

Cleveland Guardians catcher David Fry (elbow) has been cleared to take dry swings. The 29-year-old is recovering from UCL surgery. Fry was recently placed on the 60-day injured list which will keep him sidelined through at least May 26. However, seeing him begin to take swings, could suggest he may be able to see time as a designated hitter sooner than expected. He will be unable to take the field defensively this season. Last summer, Fry enjoyed a breakout season as he logged a career-high 122 games with a .263/.356/.448 line. He went deep 14 times and added 18 doubles. He generated a solid .326 xwOBA and drew walks at an above-average 10.7 percent rate. When he is cleared to return to the lineup, he will be deployed exclusively as a designated hitter, which will limit his playing opportunities. He will compete for starts alongside prospect Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel.