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Chase DeLauter will play in Guardians home opener after foot injury
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- Chase DeLauter will play in Guardians home opener after foot injury
CLEVELAND — Guardians rookie sensation Chase DeLauter is set to play in the team's 2026 home opener on Friday, April 3, against the Chicago Cubs .
First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. at Progressive Field . DeLauter will serve as the designated hitter and bat second.
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DeLauter suffered a left foot contusion on March 31 against the Los Angeles Dodgers .
"It's good," DeLauter said on April 3. "I'm ready to go today."
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong (43) pitches seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) is taken out from the game by manager Dave Roberts (30) during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Robert van Scoyoc (72) makes a throw to first base against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) catches a fly ball hits by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (77) throws pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong (43) pitches seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Angel Martinez (1) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miquel Rojas (72) hits a double against the Cleveland Guardians in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann (10) hits a RBI double during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) catches a fly ball hits by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Olympic gold medalist and Chief Athlete Officer of LA28 Janet Evans walks to the mound to throw out the first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Olympic gold medalist and Chief Athlete Officer of LA28 Janet Evans walks to the mound to throw out the first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong (43) pitches seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong (43) pitches seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (12) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) is taken out from the game by manager Dave Roberts (30) during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Robert van Scoyoc (72) makes a throw to first base against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) catches a fly ball hits by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Parker Messick (77) throws pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shawn Armstrong (43) pitches seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Angel Martinez (1) steals second base against Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miquel Rojas (72) hits a double against the Cleveland Guardians in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a single against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann (10) hits a RBI double during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan (38) hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) catches a fly ball hits by Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (13) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Olympic gold medalist and Chief Athlete Officer of LA28 Janet Evans walks to the mound to throw out the first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Guardians series at Shohei Ohtani-led Los Angeles Dodgers
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former Olympic gold medalist and Chief Athlete Officer of LA28 Janet Evans walks to the mound to throw out the first pitch before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Is Chase DeLauter hurt?
DeLauter's bruised foot occurred when he fouled a pitch off his left foot in the top of the first inning of a 4-1 loss at the Dodgers. CJ Kayfus replaced DeLauter in right field in the bottom of the first inning. DeLauter sat out the Guardians' next game on April 1, a 4-1 victory over the Dodgers.
X-rays taken on DeLauter's left foot were negative, he said. He said he tested the foot while working out on April 2.
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"It feels good," said DeLauter, the 16th overall draft pick in 2022.
DeLauter broke the same foot in 2023 at James Madison University and fractured it in 2024. The injury in 2023 required surgery.
Mar 26, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park.
Chase DeLauter stats
DeLauter made his MLB debut with the Guardians in the 2025 playoffs.
This year, DeLauter hit four home runs in his first three MLB regular-season games, including two in his March 26 debut at the Seattle Mariners . The Guardians won 6-4.
In the 2026 season, DeLauter is hitting .273 with six hits, five RBIs and five runs scored in 22 at-bats. His OPS is 1.122. He was named the first AL Player of the Week of the season.
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DeLauter will be the Guardians' DH for the fourth time in his first seven games this season. Despite the bruised foot, DeLauter said he could play in the outfield if the team needed him to do so.
"I feel good," DeLauter said. "I don't believe they would throw me out there if it was still kind of a toss-up. I believe there's no harm in taking the DH, getting an extra day, but, yeah, I believe I'll be out in the outfield as soon as they want to put me out there."
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Chase DeLauter will play in Guardians home opener vs Cubs after injury
