Chase

DeLauter

DeLauter will require some extra time off to rest and recover after imaging earlier this week revealed a bone bruise and a small fracture in his right ribs. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed optimism on Tuesday that DeLauter could potentially be able to manage the injury and play through it, but the club has opted against taking that route. The 24-year-old has cooled off considerably after a surreal start to the year, but has still put together a sensation rookie campaign so far, slashing .263/.337/.408 with seven homers and two steals in 270 plate appearances in 66 games. There is no timetable for his return but fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate a lengthy absence.

DeLauter was unavailable to pinch-hit during Tuesday’s contest against the Brewers after an MRI revealed a bone bruise and a small fracture in his right ribcage. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters he believes DeLauter will be able to play through the issues but didn’t rule out the possibility of a trip to the injured list. The 24-year-old rookie was able to participate in baseball activities prior to the game, which is a positive sign. There should be a clearer indication concerning his next steps at some point later this week.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt told reporters DeLauter underwent imaging that revealed a bone bruise and a small fracture in his right ribcage. He’s day-to-day and could potentially play through the issues, but a trip to the injured list remains a possibility. He was likely to open this contest on the bench anyway with lefty Robert Gasser taking the hill for Milwaukee. It’ll be veteran David Fry heading out to right field in his place. There should be a clearer idea regarding the 24-year-old rookie sensation’s outlook later this week.

DeLauter left Saturday’s game with a bruised right ribcage after crashing into the outfield wall during the top half of the first inning. He underwent a precautionary MRI and CT scan on Saturday, the Guardians are still working through the results. Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters on Sunday that they expect to have more information on his status over the next day or so. Fantasy managers relying on DeLauter for next week may want to have a contingency option in place in the event that he winds up on the injured list.

DeLauter sustained the injury crashing into the wall in the top of the first and then left for a pinch-runner after singling in the bottom of the inning. It’s just the second injury of note for DeLauter this season; he missed one game in the second week of the season after fouling a ball off his foot. DeLauter’s 71 games this season are already a career high as a pro; in the minors, he played in 57 games in 2021, 39 in 2024 and 42 last year.

Dalauter left after a single in the first, though the injury might have been a result of him hitting the wall on defense in the top of the inning. Daniel Schneeman pinch-ran for him.

The Guardians are facing left-hander Carlos Rodon, but DeLauter has started the last two games against lefties. Of course, that was with Steven Kwan on the bereavement list, so with Kwan back, DeLauter shifts to the bench so that Stuart Fairchild can play center field with Kwan in left field.

DeLauter is batting .282 with an .861 OPS after Sunday’s performance. The homer was his seventh this season, a two-run blast in the first inning off Brady Singer. It was only his second homer since April 5, but he’s been an above league-average hitter during that time despite the lack of homers. All seven of his homers have come against right-handers this season, unsurprisingly. The rookie has held his own against lefties, though, sporting an OBP over .400 against southpaws so far in 2026.

DeLauter connected for an RBI single in the sixth and drove in a run on a groundout in the eighth. The rookie outfielder is up to 25 RBI on the year with more walks than strikeouts. He has just two home runs since the season’s opening weekend, but he continues to get on base and hit well atop Cleveland’s lineup.

DeLauter has oddly flown under the radar since his four home run barrage over the first weekend of the season despite continuing to hit well. His two-run single in the fifth inning put the Guardians ahead and wound up being the only runs they’d need to dispatch the Royals. Earlier in the game, he hit his ninth double, which is tied for the 10th most in the American League. His .308 batting average and .941 OPS are up there with the league leaders, too.