Guardians Lose Another Bat: Chase DeLauter Hits IL with Rib Fracture Amid Ramirez Absence

The Cleveland Guardians just can’t catch a break. Days after losing star third baseman José Ramírez to a hamate fracture that could sideline him for a month, the team announced that outfield prospect Chase DeLauter has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a small fracture and bone bruise in his right rib.

DeLauter was scratched from Sunday’s lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers, and manager Steven Vogt initially described him as day-to-day. But the decision to put him on the IL suggests the injury is more significant than originally believed. The Guardians hope he can return sooner rather than later, but they’re not counting on it.

For a club already thin in the outfield, this latest blow deepens the concern. Cleveland entered the season with questions about its outfield depth, and now those questions are being answered in the worst possible way — with two key bats on the shelf simultaneously.

Falling from the Top

The Guardians were riding high atop the AL Central for much of the early season, but injuries have started to erode their footing. They’ve slipped to second place, and the margin for error is shrinking with each passing day. While the roster still features young talent, losing a player of Ramírez’s caliber — and now a promising bat like DeLauter — puts pressure on the front office to make a decision.

Trade Talks Already Heating Up

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, rival teams are already circling. Rosenthal reported that the Guardians — historically cautious buyers at the trade deadline — are fielding calls on Triple-A catchers Bo Naylor, Cooper Ingle, and Kody Huff. “It’s not as if the Guardians are in an urgent position with any of their young players,” Rosenthal wrote. “They can see how the rest of the season plays out, gaining more information to determine which prospects they want to hold and which ones do not.”

The team has not confirmed any trade discussions, but the leak suggests Cleveland is at least listening. Whether they pivot to buying or doubling down on internal development could define the rest of their season.

For now, the Guardians will lean on their remaining depth and hope that DeLauter’s rib heals quickly. But in a division race that’s tightening by the week, every game without key contributors feels like a gamble they can’t afford to lose.