DeLauter (wrist) out of finale lineup; Ramírez gets day off as Guards monitor workload
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CLEVELAND -- Chase DeLauter and José Ramírez were out of the starting lineup on Sunday as the Guardians went for a series win over the Tigers.
In each case, their wrist was the reason why.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said DeLauter remains day to day with a right wrist sprain, which the 24-year-old suffered in a 4-3 win over Detroit in Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader.
Ramírez, meanwhile, got a breather as Cleveland maintains its plan of being mindful of the 33-year-old’s workload in the aftermath of the left hamate surgery he underwent in June.
“DeLauter is still day to day," Vogt said. "He’s going to get some treatment, see how it feels swinging. We should have more information postgame on where DeLauter is at.
"And it's just an off-day for Hosey. He’s obviously been playing a lot with the doubleheader. We still need to take care of that wrist."
Vogt noted Friday the Guardians don’t anticipate DeLauter’s issue being an injured list situation. But while he was doing better on Saturday, his wrist remained “really sore and stiff,” Vogt said.
Sunday figured to be an important day for DeLauter to test what he can do physically. The Guardians are being cautious with him, but they obviously need him as they push for a postseason spot over the final three weeks of the season.
Cleveland (72-71) entered Sunday 2 1/2 games behind the American Central-leading White Sox (74-68). The Guardians have the same record as the Blue Jays, but Toronto technically held a one-game lead for the final AL Wild Card spot by virtue of winning the season series (4-2) over Cleveland.
DeLauter, who’s a contender in a loaded AL Rookie of the Year Award race, has slashed .294/.365/.458 with 28 doubles, 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, 51 walks and 74 strikeouts. He’s played 120 games, which is his professional career high.
When Ramírez made his return from hamate surgery in July, the Guardians forecast they would be mindful of how often he plays and when he does. This is a continuation of that.
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Ramírez started both halves of Friday’s doubleheader, as the DH in Game 1 and at third base in Game 2.
Ramírez also started at third base in the Guardians' 6-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.