Tarik Skubal reacts after hitting David Fry.Tarik Skubal reacts after hitting David Fry with a pitch (Photo via X/TWitter)
Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry had to be carted off after taking a 99 MPH fastball from Tarik Skubal to the face during Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers were clinging to a 2-1 in the bottom half of the sixth inning when Fry stepped up for the most crucial at-bat of the Guardians’ 2025 season. With runners on the corners and none out, Fry attempted to bunt and advance the runners.

But in a horrific scene, Tarik Skubal accidentally hit David Fry in the face with a 99 MPH fastball. The American League Cy Young candidate was visibly shaken as trainers rushed out to assist Fry:

The good news is that David Fry was fully alert as he was carted off the field. There was no immediate update on his status.

The Guardians rallied for three runs in the inning and added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh, cruising to a 5-2 victory. With the win, Cleveland and Detroit (85-72) are tied for the AL Central lead with just five games to go.

David Fry Is In His Third Season With Guardians

Sep 2, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry (6) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. (Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

The 29-year-old David Fry is in his third season with the Guardians, debuting for them at 27 in the 2023 season. Fry, who was previously in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization, earned an All-Star nod in 2024 after batting .263 with an .804 OPS, per ESPN.

Will the Tigers avoid the humiliating collapse, or will the Guardians complete the ultimate miracle? We’ll find out in the coming days.

David Fry has been limited to 67 game appearances this season, as he continued to recover from elbow surgery. The veteran is batting .171 with eight homers, 23 RBI and a .592 OPS this season.

Cleveland won the AL Central last year and advanced to the ALCS, where they fell to the longtime rival New York Yankees.