The Cleveland Guardians just can’t seem to catch a break.
Just as it looked like rising star Chase DeLauter was nearing a call-up to the majors, he’s once again sidelined with an injury setback.
According to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, DeLauter was held out of the Triple-A lineup due to a sore right wrist and is scheduled for evaluation during the All-Star break. While he’s currently listed as day-to-day, the outfielder hasn’t played since Thursday.
Reports suggest DeLauter has been battling through the wrist soreness for a couple of weeks now, and the team is taking time to assess the severity and determine the next steps.
Remarkably, his recent performance hasn’t shown any signs of the lingering issue. In 34 games with the Columbus Clippers, the 23-year-old has put up an impressive .278/.383/.476 slash line, with an .859 OPS—numbers that speak to his potential despite the injury.
With the Guardians’ offense continuing to struggle, DeLauter’s mix of power and contact at the plate, coupled with his immense potential, had fueled growing excitement about a possible promotion shortly after the All-Star break.
However, given his history of injuries, the team may choose to proceed cautiously to avoid long-term setbacks.
There’s still hope that the extended break will allow DeLauter to heal fully and return stronger, as fans eagerly await the impact he could have on Stephen Vogt’s lineup.
