Guardians slugger David Fry hit in the face by 99 mph pitch, rushed to hospital
Fry was struck by Tarik Skubal's fastball during Tuesday's game; he remained conscious and was hospitalized for observation.
David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians was struck in the face by a 99 mph fastball from Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal during Tuesday's 5-2 win at Cleveland. Fry squared to bunt when Skubal's heater ran up and in, striking his nose and mouth before deflecting off his bat and onto the diamond. The Guardians and Tigers players stood in stunned silence as Fry collapsed at the plate, clutching his face. Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, immediately covered his own face, then removed his hat and turned away as teammates and medical staff moved in.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt and medical personnel tended to Fry on the field, and he remained conscious as he was escorted off the diamond by cart. The inning continued, with Skubal following with a wild pitch and a balk as Cleveland stretched its lead to 3-2. The team said Fry would be evaluated at Lutheran Medical Center in Cleveland before being transferred to the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus for observation, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins.
The victory moved Cleveland into a tie with Detroit for first place in the American League Central. It marked a dramatic swing for the Guardians, who trailed by 15.5 games on July 8 and by 12.5 on August 25, before surging to the brink of the division lead with late-season wins. The two clubs were scheduled to meet again the next day with Tanner Bibee on the mound for Cleveland and Jack Flaherty starting for Detroit.
Fry, 29, is a former All-Star who had battled injuries and inconsistency in 2025 after earning his first All-Star nod in 2024. The incident underscores the physical risks players face in a tight division race, though the teams continued play after the injury delay.