Chase DeLauter was out of Cleveland’s starting lineup for the fourth game in a row Tuesday in Baltimore, and the rookie outfielder’s right wrist sprain remains a situation the Guardians are handling with caution rather than urgency. DeLauter has been arguably the most consistent bat in this lineup all year, so every missed start carries extra weight for a team fighting for playoff position with only a handful of weeks left on the calendar. Stephen Vogt addressed where things stand before Tuesday’s game, giving an encouraging update without promising a firm timeline.
“[He’s doing] better. He had a better day yesterday. Hoping for a better one today. Very much still day to day. We’re optimistic he can be back in there soon. … He’s trending really well. Just not quite over the hump yet,” Vogt said of DeLauter.
DeLauter first hurt the wrist during the second half of a doubleheader against the Tigers, when he felt something wrong while swinging through a changeup on the inner part of the plate. He was pulled soon after and has not started since. The Guardians have avoided placing him on the injured list, which suggests they do not expect this to turn into a lengthy absence, but Vogt made clear the club is not going to rush him back before he is ready. He described the injury as more than routine soreness, something that has lingered for several days and needs to fully heal rather than be managed through.
The rookie also dealt with left hamstring tightness last month that forced him out of the lineup for a stretch against the Giants and Angels, and the organization has monitored his workload closely going back to spring training given his injury history in the Minor Leagues. Despite the interruptions, DeLauter has still managed to play a career high number of games as a professional this year, and the numbers he has put up make the absence sting even more. He is hitting close to .300 with an on-base percentage well above the league average, and his power and patience at the plate have made him a legitimate name in the American League Rookie of the Year conversation.
Cleveland entered Tuesday holding a one game lead over Toronto for the final AL Wild Card spot while sitting three games back of the White Sox in the Central. Every game matters at this point in September, and getting DeLauter back to full strength could go a long way toward deciding how the next few weeks play out. For now, the Guardians appear content to let the recovery move at its own pace rather than force the issue.
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