Guardians Add Rookie DeLauter to Playoff Roster Against Tigers

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Guardians have added rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter to their roster for the AL Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers. DeLauter, who was selected 16th overall in the 2022 amateur draft, is set to make his MLB debut during the playoffs.

DeLauter, 23, ended the season with a .278 batting average, five home runs, and 21 RBIs across 34 games with Triple-A Columbus. Injuries plagued his season, including a sports hernia that limited his playing time early on. He managed to return to action for the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Guardians before rejoining Triple-A Columbus.

“We felt 11 pitchers were the right move for this series,” said Guardians manager Stephen Vogt regarding the roster decisions. “Chase is healthy, and he’s the best bat we have available. It’s important to utilize him in this playoff scenario.”

DeLauter’s addition marks a historic moment as he could be the first player to debut in the postseason since several accomplished in 2020. Detroit’s manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged that DeLauter’s promotion was not unexpected and that the teams in the division are familiar with each other’s players.

For Game 1 of the series, the Guardians will start Gavin Williams against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. Williams is looking for a strong outing after his previous playoff experience last year. The Guardians have built up momentum after erasing a significant deficit to claim the American League Central title.

The series is tight and competitive, with the Guardians aiming to advance beyond the Wild Card round. With DeLauter on the roster, the Guardians hope he can contribute significantly, either as a pinch hitter or if a lineup change is necessary during the series.

Cleveland has been waiting for DeLauter’s opportunity since selecting him in the draft. His promise has been visible through his minor league statistics, where he displayed strong offensive skills and defensive versatility. As the playoffs unfold, all eyes will be on how the young prospect can impact his team during this critical time.