Guardians' injury updates & roster moves
This page will be updated throughout the offseason to track all of the Guardians' moves, along with the progress of any injured players.
LATEST NEWS
Nov. 6: Guardians re-sign C Austin Hedges to one-year deal
The Guardians wasted no time in bringing back one of their free agents. Hedges has been the leader of this clubhouse since he landed with Cleveland in an August 2020 trade with the Padres, and the impact he makes on the roster is clear enough that the Guardians didn't hesitate to re-sign him for 2025.
"I know I signed a one-year contract," Hedges said, "but as long as they want me, I don't plan on going anywhere."
Nov. 4: RHP James Karinchak granted free agency
Karinchak finished the 2024 season in Triple-A Columbus on a rehab assignment after spending most of the year in Arizona rehabbing his throwing arm. The Guardians activated him off the 60-day injured list on Nov. 4. He was outrighted to Columbus and was granted free agency.
Nov. 4: UTL David Fry undergoes right elbow surgery
Fry met with Dr. Keith Meister and learned that he had an insufficient ulnar collateral ligament and a flexor strain in his right elbow. He had to undergo surgery to make sure this wouldn't be a problem moving forward. That means he'll need six to eight months to recover enough to get back to hitting and serving as a DH. He'll need at least 12 months to return to position player activities. More >
INJURY UPDATES
UTL David Fry (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: Summer 2025
Fry underwent elbow surgery on Oct. 30 to repair a ligament in his throwing elbow. He'll be able to get back as a designated hitter in six to eight months, but he'll need more time to be healthy enough to throw as a position player. The Guardians expect him to return to those activities in roughly 12 months, which would be after the '25 season. (Last updated: Nov. 4)
RHP Daniel Espino (right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injury; No. 10 on Guardians' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Espino underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder capsule and rotator cuff injuries on March 13. He stayed in Goodyear, Ariz., to work through his rehab. (Last updated: Oct. 20)
LHP Sam Hentges (left shoulder injury)
Expected return: 2026
After spending parts of August and September getting a handful of opinions from different doctors, Hentges determined that the best route was surgery. He was scheduled to repair an injury to his left capsule and labrum on Sept. 18 and the recovery window is expected to be 12-14 months, which likely means he'll miss all of the 2025 season. (Last updated: Sept. 11)
RHP Trevor Stephan (UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
When Stephan's elbow was examined for discomfort on Feb. 28, a deep bone bruise was discovered. But after it continued to nag him, other opinions were needed. It was determined that his UCL is not providing adequate stability, which caused even more pain in the elbow.
Stephan underwent surgery on March 27 and was given a 12- to 16-month timetable for recovery. (Last updated: March 28)