After missing a few Spring Training games with lower-body soreness, the Cleveland Guardians continue to be cautious with Chase DeLauter.
Chase DeLauter has proven time and time again that, as long as he’s on the field, he can be a true threat in the Cleveland Guardians lineup.
However, staying on the field has been, and looks like it may always be DeLauter’s biggest challenge, and it’s something he’s already been dealing with throughout spring training.
DeLauter was already scratched from a start once this spring, going on to miss the next few games with lower-body soreness. In his first game back from the brief injury, Cleveland’s top prospect smacked a double and a home run.
Even after sitting out the next two days and a day off on Wednesday, DeLauter still wasn’t back in the Guardians' lineup on Thursday. Stephen Vogt still said the outfielder is considered “day-to-day.”
Cleveland is clearly taking a cautious approach with their highly touted prospect.
“It's legitimately day to day,” said Vogt on Thursday. “I mean, we've altered the playing time that he maybe normally would have gotten just to make sure that we understand."
Guardians center fielder Chase DeLauter heads back to the dugout before Game 2 of the American League wild card series, Oct. 1, 2025, in Cleveland. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesPart of the cautious approach with the Guardians is that they’re still learning the best ways to help DeLauter stay healthy and to work alongside him to do so.
If there’s any time learn and work to Chase, it’s right now during Spring Training, well before the season starts, and Cleveland recognizes this.
“We're learning how to help Chase feel as close to 100 percent every day. Again, we have plenty of time for him to get game action. We're going to work him back in as soon as he's, soon as everybody feels ready for it, but should be soon,” continued Vogt.
The Guardians need DeLauter healthy and in the lineup during the regular season to give the team a chance to reach the playoffs, even if that means playing it cautiously with DeLauter now.
That said, with the amount of time DeLauter has already missed during his baseball career due to injuries, it’s hard not get a little concerned when the team is talking about him managing any injury.
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