After two weeks on the injured list, Chase DeLauter is back in the Cleveland Guardians' lineup.
Finally, the Cleveland Guardians are getting a little bit of good news on the injury front.
After being without their star rookie for two weeks, the Guardians activated Chase DeLauter from the 10-day injured list on Sunday ahead of Cleveland’s series finale rubber match against the Seattle Mariners.
Manager Stephen Vogt recently said that DeLauter had ramped up baseball activities and on Friday, was back to hitting, throwing, and running. The plan was always for DeLauter to be activated at some point during this homestand, and here he is.
The rookie will be Cleveland’s designated hitter and hit third in his first game back off the injured list.
DeLauter has been on the IL with a right rib fracture, which he suffered when colliding with the right field wall against the Detroit Tigers. Of course, this was also the game in which both Angel Martinez and Jose Ramirez exited with injuries, too.
Cleveland was initially hesitant to add DeLauter to the injured list, considering him day-to-day. However, with other injuries on the roster and the need to add some fresh bats, the Guardians were forced to place him on the IL.
Apr 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesOne of the questions facing the Guardians was whether he’d need to go to a rehab outing to get his time back. But with DeLauter only being out two weeks, and Cleveland desperately needing more offense in their lineup, the team decided to put him right back into the mix.
DeLauter has had an up-and-down rookie season up to this point. After a scorching hot start to the year, he’s come back to earth a little. Still, the 24-year-old owns a .745 OPS and is one of the top hitters in Cleveland’s lineup.
In a corresponding move to make room for DeLauter on the big league roster, Cleveland also optioned Petey Halpin to Triple-A.
Halpin has been a phenomenal defensive outfielder for the Guardians this season, but he has yet to come around. He owns nine hits in 53 at-bats (.185 AVG).
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