CLEVELAND, Ohio -- David Fry enjoyed watching the Guardians play their first series of the regular season from his residence in Arizona.
"I said all right," said Fry, "the boys are playing"
After a while, as Fry continued to deal with his surgically repaired right elbow, he said watching his teammates play without him was "brutal."
Fry's angst ended Saturday when the Guardians activated their All-Star utility man from the 60-day injured list to take Lane Thomas' spot on the 26-man roster. Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list with plantar fasciitis.
"It feels great to be back," said Fry, whose 20-day rehab assignment was almost ready to expire.
Fry underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after last season's postseason run. He's back in the big leagues, but he's going to be limited to DH and pinch-hitting.
"I just started throwing at 60 feet this past week," said Fry.
Manager Stephen Vogt said that Fry might be able to play first base and left field as the season unfolds, but for now he'll be limited to swinging the bat.
"It will be the same role he played in the second half last year," said Vogt. "He'll DH against lefties. He'll be ready to pinch hit and he'll get some starts against righties from time to time. He's a much-needed right-handed bat."
Fry essentially gives the Guardians three designated hitters/first basemen along with Carlos Santana and Kyle Manzardo. The only difference is Fry can't play in the field.
"Santana and Manzardo will get the bulk of the at-bats against righties," said Vogt. "Against lefties, David will be the DH.
"We'll make decisions every day. David is one of our better hitters. So is Carlos and Manzardo. We'll get creative."
Fry spent all of spring training and the first two months of the regular season rehabbing with teammates Shane Bieber and Trevor Stephan, who were recovering from Tommy John surgery as well.
The only difference being that Bieber and Stephan are pitchers, which put them on a longer recovery path than Fry.
"You don't want to be in Arizona rehabbing," said Fry. "But it was really nice to have a group of guys going through similar stuff. You can ask each other, 'After you throw, do you feel this?'
"Then you get to face those guys in some live at-bats. It's always fun to trash talk with them."
Fry's rehab assignment lasted nine games. He started in the Arizona Complex League before moving to Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. He hit .103 (3 for 29) with one homer and three RBI.
"I feel really good swinging the bat," said Fry. "I haven't had any issues like feeling sore. It feels pretty normal.
"I feel ready. This organization does a great job of getting you ready."