Guardians’ David Fry Struck in Face by 99-MPH Pitch: What Happened Next Will Shock You

When a 99-mph fastball finds its unintended mark on a player’s face, the electric thrill of baseball can suddenly turn harrowing. That’s exactly what transpired Tuesday night at Ohio’s Progressive Field, where Cleveland Guardians’ designated hitter David Fry took an unexpected and brutal hit during a sixth-inning bunt attempt. Instead of the bat connecting, the blazing pitch from Detroit Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal collided with Fry’s nose and mouth area, dropping him to the ground in a moment that had the crowd holding its breath. Amid the tense silence and rush of medical attention, Fry showed remarkable resilience—managing to walk off under his own power, flashing a thumbs-up that offered a spark of hope to everyone watching. The Guardians promptly announced Fry was under careful observation at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, and while the full extent of his injuries remained uncertain, the team and fans alike were united in their concern. Skubal, visibly shaken and remorseful on the mound, echoed the sentiment that nothing in the game compares to a player’s health and well-being. As Cleveland edged Detroit 5-2, tightening their grip on the AL Central lead, this incident cast a poignant shadow over a fiercely contested season. Baseball’s brutal unpredictability was on full display—a reminder that behind every pitch, the stakes are profoundly human. LEARN MORE

Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry was hit in the face by a 99-mph fastball thrown Tuesday by Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal at Ohio’s Progressive Field.

During a sixth-inning at-bat, Fry was attempting to bunt when the ball missed the bat completely and hit him in the nose and mouth area. He fell to the ground and remained there for several minutes while being treated by medical staff.

Fry eventually was able to walk to a cart under his own power. The 2024 American League All-Star gave a thumbs-up signal as he was being driven off the field. The Guardians later said Fry was undergoing tests and observation, possibly overnight, at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

“He’s getting tested,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters after the game. “He stayed conscious the whole time. Definitely some injuries there, so I’ll give you an update tomorrow on David.”

Vogt added: “We’re all thinking about Dave and his family right now. Obviously, we’re glad he’s OK, but obviously it’s really a scary moment. So [we’re] thinking about him.”

As the incident took place, Skubal reacted in horror from the mound, immediately dropping his glove, removing his cap and covering his face with his hand. The 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner later told reporters it was “really tough” to see Fry like that.

“I’ve already reached out to him. I’m sure his phone is blowing up. I just want to make sure he’s all right,” Skubal said. “Obviously, he seemed like he was OK coming off the field and hopefully it stays that way.

“I know sometimes with those things that can change. So hopefully he’s all right. I look forward to hopefully at some point tonight or [Wednesday] morning getting a text from him and making sure he’s all good because there’s things that are bigger than the game and the health of him is more important than a baseball game.”

Cleveland won the game 5-2 to pull to a tie with Detroit at the top of the AL Central Division after trailing by as many as 15½ games this summer.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.