Maybe all Chase DeLauter needed was a little time off during the grind of his first MLB season. Unfortunately, it came at the expense of an injury to the Cleveland Guardians outfielder, but the results cannot be argued with.
Since returning from a brief stint on the injured list with a fractured rib, DeLauter has found the power at the plate that had eluded him for months. After opening the campaign with four home runs in his first three games, and five in his first seven, he had managed just two more until he was sidelined on June 13.
Now, he has homered in three of his past five outings, including a second straight in a win Friday against the Miami Marlins. It is a very encouraging development for the Guardians heading into the All-Star break.
DeLauter opened up about his recent success, saying that a new approach is paying off.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to jinx it at all. But no, I mean I’m just trying to hit the ball hard. Like I think, I think having a couple early like that started the year kind of got me thinking, see how many I can kind of get rolling, and then that that wasn’t really a recipe for success. So I think now it’s just hit the ball hard, man. And whenever it leaves the bat, can’t control it. So wherever it goes, it goes,” DeLauter said.
(Via #Guardians audio) Chase DeLauter talked to reporters in Miami about his recent success at the plate and finding homers like he did early in the year:
“I don't know. I don't want to jinx it at all. But no, I mean I'm just trying to hit the ball hard. Like I think, I think…— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) July 11, 2026
DeLauter began his regular-season MLB career with two home runs on Opening Day against the Seattle Mariners. After homering against the Chicago Cubs in Cleveland’s home opener on April 3, he had five HRs with eight RBIs, making history in the process.
While he continued to produce at a high level at the plate for a rookie, the home runs dried up. DeLauter endured a 24-game drought and another of 23 games leading to his injury.
He missed 11 games while on the IL, but since his return on June 28, he has at least one hit in 11 of his 12 games played. DeLauter is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, during which he is 10-for-24 with those three home runs and six RBIs.
The 24-year-old is unfortunately familiar with dealing with injuries, as he was unable to play a full season in his three minor league campaigns. He was durable for the Guardians, however, playing in 66 games before his setback.
Hopefully, DeLauter will be able to keep this momentum coming out of the All-Star Break, which begins after their series finale against the Marlins on Sunday and continues until next Friday, when they are back in action against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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