The Cleveland Guardians had been holding back top outfield prospect Chase DeLauter from spring training games to this point.
They wanted to make sure he was completely healthy before taking the field, as a way to ease him in after an injury-riddled 2024.
Little did they know that he was going to get hurt on defensive workouts on February 28th and require surgery.
“Guardians prospect Chase DeLauter had surgery to repair a sports hernia. He’s expected to miss 8-12 weeks. Injuries have limited DeLauter to 96 games since Cleveland selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft,” Guardians insider Zack Meisel posted on X.
Guardians prospect Chase DeLauter had surgery to repair a sports hernia. He’s expected to miss 8-12 weeks. Injuries have limited DeLauter to 96 games since Cleveland selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) March 4, 2025
According to the medical update released by the Guardians, surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers to repair the bilateral core muscle injury.
DeLauter will return to Goodyear, Arizona, to start his rehabilitation later this week.
Medical update on OF Chase DeLauter pic.twitter.com/yELlw0amin
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) March 4, 2025
It’s a crushing blow to a player who hasn’t been able to consistently stay on the field ever since being drafted by Cleveland.
The team expected big things from him this spring, and there was even talk of him potentially winning the right field job in camp.
He couldn’t even play, though, and it will be a while before he sees the field again.
DeLauter posted a 129 wRC+ in 39 games across three levels last year, including a stint in Triple-A.
He missed many games recovering from hamstring and foot injuries.
There is still a chance DeLauter finds his way to the big leagues this year, but it would be in the second half.
It’s truly a shame to see injuries and fate treating him so badly.
NEXT: Guardians Send Potential Opening Day Lineup To The Field On Tuesday
