The Guardians announced today that outfield prospect Chase DeLauter required surgery due to a right hamate fracture. Their announcement noted that the typical return timeline for such a procedure is six to eight weeks.
It’s yet another frustrating injury setback for DeLauter, who has had many of them. Recurring foot injuries limited his workload in both 2023 and 2024. This year, he required core muscle surgery in March, which cost him a couple of months. Now this surgery seems likely to cost him a couple more.
DeLauter, the 16th overall pick of the 2022 draft, has still been productive on a rate basis. He has a .302/.384/.504 batting line and 142 wRC+ in his minor league career overall. That includes a .278/.383/.476 line and 130 wRC+ in Triple-A this year. However, he’s been limited to just 583 plate appearances in the three years since being drafted.
Despite all the setbacks, it seemed possible he would help the Guardians at the big league level this year. He first reached Triple-A late in 2024 then came into camp this year as a non-roster invitee. He was already a long shot to make the Opening Day roster before the core muscle surgery put him out of commission. He returned and got a couple of months on the field and could have been called up to help the Guards, but there’s little chance of that now. With his timeline, he won’t be back until September.
The Guards could give him some big league playing time down the stretch but they may be in a playoff race. Though their outfield hasn’t been strong for a while, they might not want to rely on a prospect who has missed so much time, so perhaps he will finish his season by getting into a few more minor league contests. He’s going to be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter, so the Guards will be adding him to the roster in the next few months regardless. Perhaps that could lead to DeLauter making his major league debut, especially if the club is out of contention later in the year.
Once he’s on the roster, there’s a path to playing time if he’s healthy. Lane Thomas has been hurt most of this year and is an impending free agent. Will Brennan is recovering from Tommy John surgery and has been a subpar hitter in the big leagues. He also has options remaining. Nolan Jones, Ángel Martínez and Johnathan Rodríguez are all struggling at the plate this year. Steven Kwan has been in some trade speculation but seems likely to stay.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Lange, Imagn Images
man this is just tough. all the promise in the world but he keeps getting hurt
Now I will clamor for Kari’s
Kayfus
Kayfus is a first baseman. We already have two of them. Still learning the outfield and is nowhere near ready of majors
Santana will be gone, either at the deadline or the offseason. They also don’t seem to have a ton of faith in Manzardo playing first every day.
Besides, Kayfus is pretty much major league ready right now. Have you seen him in Columbus?
I still want him
What? Kayfus is beyond ready for an MLB audition. Santana is a place holder, and I’d be shocked if he isn’t moved to make room for Kayfus.
Fantastic prospect. Just can’t stay healthy. Garrett Mitchell-esque.
Being the big fan of Angel Martinez that I am, it’s worth pointing out that his season numbers don’t tell the full story because he’s been incredible this month. I’m willing to bet on him getting better.
As for DeLauter, this is incredibly disappointing. I remember a few years ago when the Twins pretty much made Byron Buxton exclusively a DH, and I think DeLauter is getting close to that point himself. The talent and performance have been there but it doesn’t matter if he can’t stay healthy. I hate pigeonholing a young guy into a DH role, but at the very least they can’t rely on him to be an everyday outfielder.
It’s not wrong though. He’s a career 88 wRC+ hitter and he’s at 91 this year (he was in the 60s earlier). Being a below average hitter is fine if you’re a defense first player at a premium position, but that’s not the case for him. So far he’s rated well below average defensively for CF, his D isn’t well thought of enough to let him play SS, and he doesn’t hit enough to be a regular 2B.
He’s had some nice streaks, sure. But he needs more than what he’s shown because his bat has to carry his profile.
Saying Martinez is struggling at the plate is nonsense. Like all young players he has stretches of low productivity but he’s been great early and coming on as of late.
I heard tom hamilton talking last night about someone in a cleveland uniform who said bazzana will be a better player having to learn to deal with setbacks and disappointment. If that is a measure of success delauter must be on his way to a hall of fame career. Or he is the next daniel espino or adam miller or Herbert perry
JJ Bleday is available.
He’s a surplus Outfielder on the A’s right now but did hit 20 Homers and 40 Doubles last year.
Could be had on the cheap.
Time to cut bait and see what he’s worth on the market. Clearly he can’t stay healthy and Cleveland can’t sit around and wait for him to play a full season if he even does. Maybe a team with deep pockets may take a flyer and give you something of value in return.
Why would you do that, if you are going to take a gamble just gamble on Chase
Still has trouble with breaking pitches in triple a. Untill he improves not coming in 2025 and alot of swing snd miss. Eta spring 2026 mid june.
Bummer… but at least his injuries arent related to the foot issues he’s had in previous years.
In other words he’s out for the season. See you in spring training.
Trade Delauter