Guardians fans experience first Chase DeLauter injury scare of 2026 season 

Last year Chase DeLauter’s season was derailed by plenty of injuries. From last spring’s sports hernia surgery to the broken right hamate bone that seemed like it would end his season, DeLauter’s time with the Guardians has been one of starts and stops.

But it looked like there was a chance that could end up becoming a thing of the past this season thanks to DeLauter making his MLB debut in last year’s postseason and generating plenty of buzz toward earning a spot on the Guardians’ Opening Day roster this season. 

But his injury struggles became a storyline once again yesterday when DeLauter was a late scratch from the Guardians’ spring training lineup due to lower body soreness. 

While the Guardians defined the move as precautionary, it was a very stark reminder of just how fragile DeLuater can be. 

Guardian’ Chase DeLauter misses first spring game due to injury 

Had DeLauter played in Wednesday’s game, it would have marked his third appearance this spring. The Guardians have been playing him every other day to limit the amount of wear and tear on his body, but it seems like that wasn’t even enough for DeLauter to not receive some kind of injury. 

“DeLauter came in from the workout and said he was really sore, just from all the on-field work,” manager Stephen Vogt said, per MLB.com’s Tim Stebbins. “Obviously this early in spring, we’re just being really cautious with it. We don't anticipate him missing too much time.”

DeLauter’s injury scare is also another reminder that the Guardians probably should have added at least one big league outfielder on a big league deal. 

Stuart Fairchild is a solid option who is a serviceable fourth outfielder, but he’d be miscast as a true insurance option if someone like DeLauter or George Valera ends up suffering a serious injury. 

It’s clear the Guardians were willing to pay a veteran something considering the fact they’re going to pay Rhys Hoskins $1.5 million whenever he’s officially added to the roster, so bringing in someone like Lane Thomas or Austin Hays to be another option in the outfield wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. 

But even if DeLauter stays healthy throughout the spring, it’s hard to believe we’re going to see him play more than three or four games a week. 

Regardless, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Guardians’ outfield depth is going to be tested at the start of the season whether DeLauter is one the roster on Opening Day or not.