Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter is playing with a minor fracture and bone damage to his right rib, manager Stephen Vogt told reporters (including MLB.com’s Zach Sweet). DeLauter was unavailable for tonight’s game, a 2-1 loss at Milwaukee. Vogt said he lives day by day but did not rule out that there will need to be a list of injured people.
DeLauter was injured on Saturday in what has been an almost unbelievably brutal day for Cleveland from a health standpoint. DeLauter was injured on the first lap when he hit a wall trail a Gleyber Torres fly the ball. Angel Martinez hit the ball on the left foot in the lower part; suffered a nondisplaced fracture and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, Vogt said.
The worst injury of all came in the fifth, when José Ramírez continued hamate fracture in the pop-up. Ramírez underwent a routine hamate repair on Tuesday afternoon. He will be out for more than a month. Those are three everyday players for Cleveland, at least two of whom are down for a long time.
Gabriel Ariaswho has been out since mid-April with a hamstring strain, was third in Ramírez’s place tonight. David Fry again Stuart Fairchild each pulled on the field with Milwaukee sending the left Robert Gasser on the hill. Daniel Schneemann again Petey Halpin they may get more playing time against righty pitching, especially if DeLauter needs an injured roster.
Cleveland’s pitching was a problem even before the injury. Martínez has great physical tools but an offensive profile given his aggressive plate approach. DeLauter has cooled off considerably after a great start to his MLB regular season career. He has only hit two home runs since hitting five long balls in the first seven games of the season. He hit .252/.333/.346 in nearly 250 plate appearances since that stellar opening week. Schneemann’s bat has exploded since the end of April, when Steven Kwan has struggled offensively throughout the calendar year.
All that surprised the guards were appointed George Valera for assignment on the weekend. They obviously treated him badly despite a decent offensive season in Triple-A. CJ Kayfus he hasn’t found strength in the kids, while Halpin has a mid-range sign. Kahlil Watson he’s gotten solid results in Triple-A but is hitting at a 28% clip.
Cleveland sits a percentage point behind the White Sox for the AL Central lead. Outfield and left-handed relief – already a question mark before they lose Erik Sabrowski elbow inflammation – appear to be major areas of need as the front office prepares for the trade deadline.
