Will David Fry play for the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS?

Stephen Vogt wanted David Fry to come to spring training as a full-time catcher and get a lot of reps behind the plate before sprinkling in some outfield and first base. Fry's versatility was one of the main reasons for the Cleveland Guardians' success early in the season, but he now appears primarily as a designated hitter in the second half of the season.

Given the current lack of offense from his catchers in the playoffs in Cleveland, what's to stop Fry from stepping back behind the plate for the remainder of the postseason and assuming the role of the team's starting catcher?

This is a legitimate question, but there is also an answer to it.

Fry was ruled out of a game on June 23 with what the team called “elbow inflammation.” He was never on the injured list, but Fry has caught just one game since then and appeared in just 13 appearances the rest of the season.

In late September, Vogt was asked if there was a chance Fry would see time as the team's backstop for the rest of the season, and Cleveland's manager seemed to doubt it.

“We’re still not sure. I mean, it’s a long road,” Vogt said on Sept. 20. “This guy has been through so much this year, from playing every day, playing multiple positions, making the All-Star team, not being able to catch, not being able to play in the outfield to play.”

Fry has a .250 batting average and a .736 SOP, including a season-saving home run against the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the ALDS. His bat was one of the few bright spots in the Guardians' lineup, and having him as a catcher would give Vogt so many more options in his lineup.

But whatever Fry did to his elbow in late June clearly affected his ability to throw a baseball and play catcher.

Fry's versatility and catching ability would be huge for the Guardians in the postseason. However, due to the injury, it is quite unlikely that Fry will play any more backstop this season.