The Cleveland Guardians’ health is gradually improving.
Shane Bieber’s recuperation is going well, Lane Thomas has already begun a rehab assignment, and other players are getting closer to the major leagues.
Among them is David Fry, who enjoyed a career-best season and received his first All-Star selection last year.
Regretfully, he had to have Tommy John surgery in November, just after the Guardians’ incredible postseason success.
Fry was always in the running to return this year, at least as a designated hitter, because Tommy John surgery is not as devastating for position players as it is for pitchers.
A few days ago, he began participating in minor league games in the Arizona Complex League, and now he is prepared to further his rehabilitation.
“Per @DreKnott: Cleveland #Guardians David Fry will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron next week,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.
The games he played in the Complex League were for him to get his feet wet and rediscover the feel for hitting.
Now, starting next week, things will become serious.
Double-A pitchers will represent harder competition: the games he plays there will be to test his bat speed and power post-surgery, not to mention getting his timing back.
He is anticipated to be in Double-A (and maybe Triple-A) for some time following the operation because he doesn’t really have many at-bats under his belt.
Before facing major league pitching, he has to regain his timing at the plate, which might take weeks rather than days.
The prize will be having a player that can play several positions and have a 129 wRC+ in 122 games, like he did the previous season.
