CLEVELAND — Guardians All-Star and postseason star David Fry underwent reconstructive surgery on his right elbow and is expected to require at least six months of rehab and recovery before he can hit for the defending AL Central champions.

The team said Monday that Fry, an invaluable utility player, underwent surgery Wednesday in Dallas. Fry was unable to catch or play the field the last few months of this season due to elbow pain.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister, who repaired Fry’s damaged ulnar collateral ligament using a technique involving a hybrid/internal brace and a tendon graft. The surgery also addressed a strained flexor tendon.

The brace is believed to speed up the healing process compared to traditional Tommy John surgery, which typically results in a 12- to 15-month recovery.

The guards expect Fry to need 6 to 8 months before he can be their designated hitter. It will be up to a year of recovery before he can play on the field.

Fry, 28, batted .263 with 14 homers and 51 RBI this season. Fry believes he injured his elbow on a throw to second base while catching against Toronto in June.

He was tight in the playoffs, hitting a go-ahead homer in Game 4 at Detroit as the Guardians rallied to win the AL Division Series, and connected for a two-run homer in the 10th inning to beat New York. Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS.

The Guardians had a few other roster moves. Outfielder Myles Straw accepted a direct assignment to Triple-A Columbus. Also, reliever James Karinchak was activated from the 60-day injured list, cleared and granted free agency.

The team also activated left-hander Sam Hentges and right-hander Trevor Stephan from the 60-day disabled list.

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