Stephen Vogt Provides Big Update About Chase DeLauter

Stephen Vogt delivered an encouraging update on one of the most important young players in the Cleveland Guardians organization.

Chase DeLauter is returning to game action, and the Guardians are taking a smart and measured approach as he ramps back up this spring.

According to Vogt, DeLauter will serve as the designated hitter as he eases back into the lineup.

“Chase has responded really well,” Vogt said.

“Chase has responded really well”#Guardians manager Stephen Vogt says that Chase DeLauter will DH today as he ramps things back up. #GuardsBall x @WEWS pic.twitter.com/RMcJPc8Ap6

— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) March 1, 2026

The manager also made it clear that the team will continue monitoring him closely on a day-to-day basis.

“He’s someone that we’re going to monitor day to day, just like all of our players,” Vogt explained. “When they have something that smells like it could turn into something, we’re going to take him out of the lineup for a few days.”

That cautious mindset makes sense given DeLauter’s recent history. Last season he dealt with multiple physical setbacks, including core muscle surgery and a wrist issue. Despite that, he still managed to make his Major League debut during the postseason and showed flashes of the talent that has made him one of the organization’s most highly regarded hitters.

Now, the stakes are even higher.

The Guardians are relying on DeLauter as a key part of their offense in 2026. His combination of size, power, and plate discipline gives Cleveland something it needs more of in the middle of the lineup. With questions surrounding offensive consistency over the past year, DeLauter’s development is central to the team’s plans moving forward.

Cleveland believes he can be a difference maker, not just a contributor. His ability to drive the ball to all fields and control the strike zone fits perfectly with what the organization wants to build offensively. If he can stay healthy and settle into a regular role, he could quickly become one of the pillars of the lineup.

If DeLauter continues to respond well and builds momentum throughout camp, Cleveland’s offense could look significantly different in 2026. For a team that needs impact from within, his return to action is a major step in the right direction.