The Cleveland Guardians got a welcomed boost Wednesday as rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter was back in the starting lineup, batting second and playing right field against the Baltimore Orioles. DeLauter had missed the previous four games with a sprained right wrist, leaving the team and fans anxious about his availability during the final stretch of the postseason race.
Just a day earlier, manager Stephen Vogt had described DeLauter as day to day, expressing optimism that the young slugger could avoid the injured list. “He had a better day yesterday. Hoping for a better one today,” Vogt said. “We’re optimistic he can be back in there soon.”
DeLauter has been one of Cleveland’s most consistent hitters this season, carrying a .294 batting average with an .823 OPS, 13 home runs, and 60 RBI. His recent surge has been remarkable, hitting .394 (26-for-66) over his last 17 games and .363 in August. The second-half numbers are just as impressive, with a slash line of .329/.404/.479, though he has homered only twice in 40 games.
Vogt noted that the wrist issue bothered DeLauter more when swinging than when playing the outfield, which made the decision to rest him a cautious one. “It’s not like he just felt some soreness. I mean, it’s been a couple days,” Vogt explained. “There’s something real there. We have to make sure that we don’t bring him back too soon and make it worse.”
DeLauter was scheduled to go through pregame work Tuesday before the club determined whether he could be available off the bench. By Wednesday, he felt well enough to start. “He’s trending really well and just not quite over the hump yet,” Vogt had said Tuesday, but the improvement continued.
In other Guardians injury news, first baseman Rhys Hoskins is beginning to progress into baseball activities as he works his way back from lower back inflammation. Hoskins has been on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 19 and has missed 19 games, with Cleveland going 12-7 in his absence. “He’s feeling better each day,” Vogt said. When asked if there is still enough time for Hoskins to return this season, Vogt replied, “We’re hoping so. Again, we got to get him to the point where he feels like he’s ready to go play, and we’re not there yet.”
