Guardians Legend Endorses Controversial Lineup Move

The Cleveland Guardians recently got All-Star utilityman David Fry back.

The 2024 postseason hero underwent Tommy John surgery in the fall and had to miss a portion of the start of the 2025 campaign.

He returned this month, but exclusively as a designated hitter for now because of throwing limitations stemming from his procedure and rehab.

This, of course, has had playing time ramifications in the Guardians.

Kyle Manzardo, who had been playing almost every day, is now part of a designated hitter platoon.

Fry plays against lefties and Manzardo is in the lineup against righties.

It’s a disappointing outcome for the young slugger since he has actually been excellent against southpaws this year with a 163 wRC+, but Carlos Santana’s grip of first base is as solid as it has ever been.

Guardians legend Carlos Baerga agrees with this arrangement.

“Carlos agrees with playing Carlos Santana as the everyday first baseman and platooning Kyle Manzardo and David Fry. “Our regular 1B is Carlos Santana, he’s a gold glover,” the Carlos Baerga Show posted on X with the former infielder’s thoughts on the situation.

Carlos agrees with playing Carlos Santana as the everyday first baseman and platooning Kyle Manzardo and David Fry. #GuardsBall

"Our regular 1B is Carlos Santana, he's a gold glover."

– @Baerga99 pic.twitter.com/PMlBWDSGao

— Carlos Baerga Show (@BaergaShow) June 14, 2025

Some fans have vowed for Manzardo to play every day.

He is one of Cleveland’s best hitters, with a 100 wRC+ and 11 home runs before Saturday’s game.

In theory, his bat should be in the lineup every day especially since his supposed weakness, hitting against lefties, hasn’t really been there this year.

However, the Guardians need Santana’s defense, leadership, and steady bat in the lineup, and given Fry’s inability to play the field at the moment, the DH platoon is the only solution to give all three some playing time.

Things will likely change once Fry is allowed to play the field.