CLEVELAND -- Chase DeLauter’s status remained a question mark on Sunday after the Guardians’ outfielder was forced to exit Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Tigers following a collision with the right-field wall.
The Guardians noted Saturday that DeLauter exited with right rib cage inflammation. The 24-year-old underwent an MRI and a CT scan later in the evening, manager Stephen Vogt noted Sunday morning, for which the team was awaiting results to understand the full scope of the situation.
DeLauter was not in the Guardians’ starting lineup before Sunday’s series finale against the Tigers was postponed due to inclement weather. Vogt was asked specifically whether DeLauter could have a fracture.
“We’re trying to rule everything out right now,” the Guardians’ skipper said. “That's why we got the two tests. We don't want to put the cart before the horse with anything until our medical group has had time to review the two tests.”
Vogt said both DeLauter and Angel Martínez (who exited Saturday’s game with a left foot contusion) arrived at the ballpark on Sunday “pretty sore.” Martínez, however, was potentially available to pinch-hit before the postponement, with the hope that he’ll be ready for Tuesday’s series opener against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
DeLauter’s situation was less clear.
“Our medical staff is still working through the information on that,” Vogt said of DeLauter’s scans. “We don't quite have all the results back or a specific what's going on, but we'll know more in the next 24 to 48 hours."
DeLauter has played in 66 of the Guardians’ 72 games this season, which marks his career high at any professional level. He played 57 games in the Minor Leagues in 2023, during a developmental pathway in which he missed extended time due to injuries.
DeLauter has been durable this season, and the Guardians have been mindful of his workload. He has made 66 appearances, including 61 starts. Twenty-two of his starts have come as a designated hitter. All the while, he has emerged as a crucial piece to the Guardians’ lineup while hitting second or third in 57 starts.
Coupled with José Ramírez (left hamate fracture) going on the injured list, DeLauter missing any stretch of time would be a tough blow for the Guardians.
Cleveland does have some outfield depth at Triple-A Columbus in Petey Halpin, CJ Kayfus and Kahlil Watson (ranked as the Guardians’ No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline). All three guys are on the 40-man roster. The depth doesn’t include George Valera, whom Cleveland designated for assignment on Sunday amid a 40-man roster crunch. It needed to open a space upon Gabriel Arias’ return from the 60-day injured list.
Valera made his MLB debut on Sept. 1 last year after a long road to The Show, and he logged a .748 OPS in 16 games. The 25-year-old batted second in a pair of starts during the AL Wild Card Series against Detroit, hitting a solo home run in Cleveland's 6-1 win in Game 2, before he opened this season on the IL with a left calf strain.
The Guardians activated Valera on April 13, but he hit just .216 with a .534 OPS (8-for-37) in sporadic playing time over 13 games before he was optioned back to the Clippers on April 30.
“Coming up last September, it was really exciting to watch him help us win a division and go on a playoff run," Vogt said. "He obviously helped us win some games early this year. You never want to have to make these decisions, and obviously we don't know how it's going to play out.
“But we wish George all the luck in the world, and if we get him back, we'll be elated.”