Guardians fans are holding their breath once again amid yet another Chase Delauter injury scare

The Guardians’ 5-0 loss to the Padres yesterday was one of the team’s flattest efforts all season. They didn’t pitch great, they barely hit and just overall seemed to be stuck in neutral. 

And if that wasn’t bad enough, outfielder Chase DeLauter left in the third inning of the eventual loss with mild left hamstring tightness.

While injuries haven’t been nearly as much of a problem with DeLauter as his minor league track record led us to believe, Sunday’s news was a stark reminder that we’re just one awkward movement away from an injury.  

The Guardians are hoping Chase DeLauter's injury isn't anything serious

After the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said DeLauter’s injury first popped up in pregame when DeLauter felt a cramping sensation that didn’t go away. He described the Guardians’ decision to pull DeLauter one that was made “out of an abundance of caution.” 

Although DeLauter’s had some other minor injury scares pop up here and there, his lone stint on the injured list came in June when he fractured a rib crashing into the outfield wall trying to make a catch. 

He ended up missing 11 days due to the injury, and has hit .319 in 41 games since. 

That strong production has been the story of DeLauter’s season, as he has a .285/.358/.442 slashline with 13 home runs and 57 RBI. He became the talk of baseball thanks to his electric start in the Pacific Northwest, and has been able to keep it up since. 

He’s been everything the Guardians have asked for, and any long-term injury to him would be a huge blow to Cleveland’s already-struggling lineup.

 Even if the Guardians outfield has been better as of late thanks to Steven Kwan’s strong play over the past month combined with Angel Martínez’s return and Jo Adell’s pop, the Guardians’ lineup is at its best when DeLauter’s in it. 

The good news is that it doesn’t seem like DeLauter’s injury is anything serious. If anything, it could be an injury of circumstance thanks to Sunday’s three-hour, 11-minute delay. The Guardians also have an off day today, which will give DeLauter an extra bit of time to rest before Tuesday’s game against the Giants. 

The Guardians also have some positional alternatives they can turn to if he’s able to hit but not able to play the field. DeLauter’s recorded 45 starts at designated hitter this season compared to 57 in right field this season, so there’s avenue for his bat to stay in the roster without having to worry about him hurting himself in the outfield. 

It was smart for the Guardians to exercise caution with DeLauter, but the rest of their (slim) postseason chances hinge on him being able to return sooner rather than later. 

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