Guardians prospect Chase DeLauter to see hand specialist; Shane Bieber rehab update

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6 days ago

CLEVELAND — Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter has been borderline desperate to stay on the field this season after several years of setbacks and roadblocks. Guardians fans have become borderline desperate for DeLauter to be called up and put into the major league lineup.
But all that desperation hasn't been enough to make either happen. And, now, DeLauter is again facing a potential absence.
DeLauter, the second-ranked prospect in the Guardians system and a top-35 prospect in baseball overall, in the past has dealt with foot, toe and hamstring issues.
In 2024, DeLauter torched Cactus League pitching in spring training and then had his season derailed by injuries. He then said this spring his only goal was to stay on the field in 2025, knowing he could finally break through to the majors.
But before any of that could happen, he needed surgery for a sports hernia and missed the first several weeks of the regular season. Once he finally returned, DeLauter played well, hitting .278 with a .383 on-base percentage while reaching base in all 34 games he played. The phone call to the majors, though, never came.
He hasn't played for Triple-A Columbus since July 11, and he'll now travel to Dayton to see Dr. Thomas Graham, a hand and wrist specialist, to determine the next course of action for a lingering issue. It is yet another setback for one of the club's top prospects still dealing with the frustration of some bad health luck.
As of now, DeLauter hasn't played more than 42 games in either of the last two years.
"First and foremost, we continue to feel for Chase," Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said. "He desperately wants to be out there, and he just continues to have lingering soreness in his hand."
The initial hope was rest could be the answer, but it'll now be up to Dr. Graham's recommendation.
"I imagine [Dr. Graham] will do a thorough assessment when he sees [DeLauter]," Antonetti said, "because we really want to try to understand what's going on and how does that inform how we're thinking about the best path forward."
With the Guardians continuing to search for offensive production in right field, DeLauter might have been a potential answer, but that won't be the case until this lingering issue can be resolved.
Guardians 1st-round draft pick Jace LaViolette not expected to play in 2025
Jace LaViolette, the power-hitting first-round draft pick of the Guardians, might not play for any minor league affiliate in 2025 as he recovers from a cleanup procedure on his surgically repaired left hand.
LaViolette broke the hand in the SEC Tournament this spring. He underwent surgery and, amazingly, was in the lineup the next day. But, it appears it might have led to some drawbacks with his health, as he later needed a second surgery. It might have played a role in him falling to No. 27 overall, where the Guardians selected him.
"He's really tough. That's a good thing, but probably not the best thing," Antonetti said, referencing LaViolette playing the day after surgery. "We want to make sure we see the rehab through, and we're not going to force him to get into affiliate games if that's not what makes the most sense."
Shane Bieber injury rehab update
Starting pitcher Shane Bieber is expected to make his next rehab start on July 22, most likely with Lake County, according to Antonetti.
Barring another setback, Bieber is nearing the finish line of his lengthy Tommy John surgery rehab, though he still might be looking at a return to a major league mound in August, after the trade deadline.
"There'll be a couple of innings, somewhere between two and three depending on how many pitches he throws," Antonetti said. "More than anything, we want to make sure we're building him up to the point when he's ready to rejoin the major league rotation, he's capable of handling the workload of a starting pitcher."
Reliever Trevor Stephan, recovering from his own Tommy John surgery, has had his 30-day rehab stint window extended by 10 days, something that's possible because of the league's CBA in certain situations.
Luis Ortiz gambling investigation update
Starting pitcher Luis Ortiz, who remains on paid administrative leave through at least Aug. 31 while Major League Baseball continues its gambling investigation into two pitches from June, has not spoken with Antonetti but is working out at a facility on the west side of Cleveland.
Ortiz is not permitted to work out at the team's facility while on paid leave, but the club can communicate with him to continue conditioning work.
"We've got him set up with weighted balls, and he's working at a facility I think on the west side town," Antonetti said.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Guardians OF prospects Chase DeLauter, Jace LaViolette injury updates