The Cleveland Guardians could be getting some big help soon.
Chase DeLauter, the team’s No. 2 prospect and first-round pick in 2022, is inching closer to his return.
He’s currently at the Arizona Complex League to continue recovering from a sports hernia injury he sustained in March.
It’s been eight weeks since the young outfielder went under the knife.
He was in the lineup batting second against the ACL Athletics.
However, Guardians executive Mike Chernoff said that the team would be quite thorough with his workload as he works his way back to full strength:
“We’re counting the number of swings that he takes, the number of high intensity runs he does, and then we’ll be very thoughtful in those ACL games on how much time he’s on his feet and how many swings he’s getting,” Chernoff said. “That way we can work him up to full games, back-to-back games and hopefully full progression at that point before he heads to an affiliate.”
Given his history of injuries, that’s the right approach to take.
DeLauter was placed on the Injured List three times last season.
He was out with a sprained foot and a bruised big toe at Double-A Akron, and he later pulled his left hamstring when he was promoted to Triple-A Columbus.
Even so, he still managed to hit .355 with 39 RBI, 22 doubles, and five home runs in 2023.
The former No. 16 pick was projected to be called up at some point this season, and that could still be in the cards.
He’s participated in cage work and live batting practice, and while the coaching staff will take things slowly with him, he should be ready for the Majors as soon as he’s back to full strength.
The Guardians need as much help as they can get on offense, and DeLauter’s power and instincts at the plate made him one of the most promising prospects we’ve seen in years.
NEXT: Guardians Getting Solid Production From Unexpected Source
