Guardians slow-playing No. 2 prospect DeLauter's ramp-up 

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Guardians forecasted throughout this winter that they would be mindful of Chase DeLauter's workload this spring due to his physical history. So far, they’re pleased with how the situation has been handled, especially given an early test.

“We're learning and starting to understand Chase,” manager Stephen Vogt said Thursday. “We still haven't seen him a whole lot [in the big leagues]. It's been good. I’ve liked our process.”

DeLauter, who is the Guardians' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is considered day to day with lower-body soreness and was not in the Guardians’ lineup for the third consecutive game for Thursday's 12-3 win over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. He last played Sunday against the Rockies, which marked his first action since he was a late scratch from the Guardians’ lineup four days prior.

It’s expected that DeLauter will return to play in the coming days. The Guardians are being thoughtful about the 24-year-old’s build-up, but also getting some education along the way.

“It's legitimately day to day,” Vogt said. “We've altered the playing time that he maybe normally would have gotten, just to make sure that we understand. He's learning how to work. 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. So we're going to work him back in as soon as everybody feels ready for it, which should be soon.”

Before he was scratched from the Guardians’ lineup on Feb. 25 against the Rangers, DeLauter played every other day to open Cactus League play, as is customary for Guardians position players.

DeLauter’s production thus far speaks to why the organization has every reason to exercise caution with him this spring. He has been one of the best players on the field when he’s been in the lineup. In three games, DeLauter is 5-for-8 with two doubles and one homer.

Gaddis back on progression
Hunter Gaddis is trending in the right direction after he experienced right forearm tightness following his Cactus League outing on Friday. The right-hander is back on a throwing progression and conducted some weighted ball work on Thursday.

"Everything I'm hearing is that it's good news and we're good to go,” Vogt said Thursday.

Vogt noted earlier this week that Gaddis underwent imaging on his forearm, which “came back clean.” The Guardians slow-played the right-hander’s build-up this year, along with Cade Smith’s, given the workload they have carried the past two seasons. Gaddis has made 162 appearances between the regular season and playoffs since 2024.

Smith debuts
Smith was also delayed getting into Cactus League games after he dealt with neck stiffness earlier in camp. He made his spring debut on Thursday and was in midseason form.

Smith tossed a 1-2-3 fifth inning on nine pitches (seven strikes) in relief of starter Tanner Bibee, which included a three-pitch strikeout of Andrew Benintendi to begin his outing. Smith's four-seam fastball velocity averaged 95.3 mph and maxed out at 96.3 mph.

Smith is expected to get the bulk of the Guardians’ ninth-inning opportunities this season; he was elevated into that role after Emmaniuel Clase went on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 28. Smith converted 13 of his 17 save opportunities while logging a 2.79 ERA in 29 innings over 30 appearances afterward.

Messick throws sim game
With six guys in the mix for five rotation spots, the Guardians are going to have to get a bit creative at times this spring with their starters’ throwing progressions. In that vein, Parker Messick threw a simulated game at the team’s player development complex on Wednesday’s off-day.

Messick threw around 60 pitches in the sim game, which allowed him to stay on the normal five-day starting pitcher routine he has followed this spring. The lefty started and tossed two innings in his spring debut vs. the A’s on Feb. 22, and he threw 2 2/3 innings in relief vs. the Cubs on Feb. 27.