Guardians notes: David Fry providing assistance off the field

CLEVELAND — David Fry entered Tuesday batting .162 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs over 59 games. But it's off the field where Fry has been a valuable asset, according to manager Stephen Vogt said. "He's doing a full Tommy John rehab while playing. He's going through a lot right now, and he's still the same amazing person," Vogt said Tuesday prior to a game against the Royals. "It just speaks to the volume of the human being. David Fry's one of the best human beings I've ever known in my entire life. "He adds a ton of value to our clubhouse and to our team, whether he can DH only or play the field or whatever it is." Playing time has been sporadic for Fry, who was an All-Star last year but underwent surgery Oct. 30 and has been limited to designated hitter duties.Vogt said he's served a coaching role of sorts. "(It ranges) from knowing you're never gonna catch an inning and being fully involved in the advanced (scouting) with Bo (Naylor) and (Austin Hedges) and adding value there to knowing you're only gonna hit against left-handed pitching and helping the lefties be ready to face righties and constantly encouraging everyone around him," the manager said. Fry, who hit cleanup Tuesday, did take it too far during Cleveland's recent series against the Rays, warming up the pitcher before the bottom half of the inning. "He actually got away with it in Tampa and we all yelled at him," Vogt joked. "He just wants to help. It's not a selfish thing. It's not a look at me (thing). But we did have to reprimand him." Doctor's office Shortstop Gabriel Arias was out of the lineup and listed as day-to-day after leaving the series opener Monday with right wrist inflammation. "He was in a lot of pain," Vogt said of Arias, who jammed the wrist while sliding into home in Cleveland's six-run fourth inning. "We got some testing done last night, so we're waiting for the results on that to determine the next step." l Vogt said reliever Nic Enright, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with right elbow/forearm inflammation Thursday, will seek a second opinion on the diagnosis. "It might be a little while until we have an official update on him," Vogt said. l Rehabbing left-hander John Means is dealing with an illness, which could put his scheduled bullpen session Wednesday in jeopardy. Means has made five rehab appearances since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery — the last three at Triple-A Columbus, where he's allowed nine earned runs and 11 hits (4 homers) over 11 1/3 innings. Catching it Right-hander Slade Cecconi took a no-hitter into the eighth inning Monday, with a little help from Naylor, according to Vogt. "Our catchers run the game. They're in charge," Vogt said. "The pitchers have to make the pitches. Obviously, it's their doing, but a catcher can really help a pitcher get back on track or give them a different sight line to throw a certain pitch that helps them land it in the zone. "I think in any no-hitter or any game where a pitcher does well, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. Obviously, the majority of it to the pitcher for throwing the pitches, but the catcher always has a big piece in it." Vogt never caught a no-hitter. He said the closest he came was Sonny Gray taking a perfect game two outs into the eighth inning for the A's on opening day in 2015. "You know what's going on and you want to make sure you're on your 'A' game," Vogt said. "You're suggesting what you think is the best pitch to execute in that moment, so there is pressure on you back there, because you want it just as bad for your guy as he wants it for himself, if not more. You're really invested in it." Roundin' third The Guardians set season highs in hits (16), doubles (7) and hits with runners in scoring position (7) Monday. They entered Tuesday batting an American League-high .354 (34-for-96) with RISP over their last 13 games. Cleveland's starting pitchers had surrendered two or fewer runs 47 times (41-6 record) through Monday, accounting for the third-most in the AL. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on X @CAwesomeheimer.