Cleveland Guardians News

CENTRAL

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Sits Out Again on Monday

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) missed another game in Monday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, but manager Stephen Vogt did say that DeLauter is "feeling a lot better." The 24-year-old left-handed hitter was scheduled to do some hitting before the game. DeLauter suffered a sprained wrist late last week, but he managed to avoid a significant sprain and is considered day-to-day. The Guardians are not expecting him to land on the injured list. Angel Martinez got another start in right field on Monday for Cleveland with DeLauter out. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if DeLauter is feeling good enough to return to the starting nine. The former 16th overall pick has handled himself quite well in his first year in the big leagues in 2025, slashing .294/.365/.458 with an .823 OPS, 13 homers, 60 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored across 120 games and 499 plate appearances. Even more impressively, he has hit .336 (47-for-140) with an .861 OPS in 154 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.

19 hours ago

Angel Genao • 2B • Guardians

Angel Genao Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire in Deeper Leagues

Cleveland Guardians infielder Angel Genao's underlying metrics make him an intriguing player to target on the waiver wire, especially in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. On the surface, Genao's stats look mediocre at best. In 27 games since his promotion to the majors on August 5, he is slashing .255/.314/.362 with two homers, six RBI, 12 runs, a 6.9% walk rate, a 12.7% strikeout rate, and 92 wRC+. However, a few things stand out as reasons why managers should be optimistic about Genao going forward. First of all, the 92 wRC+ is slightly below league average, but not by much. That could very easily trend upward as he gets more games under his belt. Additionally, his 12.7% strikeout rate reveals that he's seeing the zone well and putting the ball in play. That strikeout rate ranks in the 93rd percentile among MLB batters. Finally, what the box score won't show is that Genao has been producing a very high quality of contact. His 91.0 mph average exit velocity, 52% hard-hit rate, and 33% squared-up rate all rank within the upper echelon of hitters. All of these factors help solidify Genao's case as a late-season waiver wire pickup. He's available in 96% of leagues and has eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop.

Yesterday

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Sitting With Sprained Wrist

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) is not in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game against the division-rival Detroit Tigers after spraining his right wrist on Friday in the second game of a doubleheader, according to MLB.com. Angel Martinez is making the start in right field and will bat second against Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez after having an injury scare of his own in the series opener on Friday. The good news is that DeLauter is being considered day-to-day, but do not be surprised if he does not play in the remainder of the series against Detroit. Cleveland cannot afford to lose the 24-year-old DeLauter to another stint on the injured list down the stretch, as he has been extremely consistent in his first year in the big leagues in 2026 with a .294/.365/.458 slash line, 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored across his 445 at-bats. If DeLauter sits out the rest of the weekend series, his next chance to return to the lineup will come in Monday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles.

2 days ago

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez Worth A Look For Fantasy Managers

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez has been hitting all season in the minors and is coming off an outrageously productive month in August at Triple-A Columbus, making him well worth a late-season stash opportunity in most fantasy leagues. In 90 August at-bats, Velazquez crushed 15 homers with 34 RBI while hitting .356 with 23 runs scored. That brought Velazquez' Triple-A totals this season to 28 homers and 89 RBI with a .290 batting average. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 2 prospect in the Guardians' system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 60-grade power. He wasn't called up to Cleveland at the beginning of September, but he still could make a late-season cameo in the big leagues. He is worth taking that stash risk on because of his power potential and overall hitting ability.

2 days ago

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Removed with Wrist Sprain

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) was removed early during Friday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. According to Tim Stebbins, DeLauter exited the second game on Friday due to a right wrist sprain. He'll finish his day 2-for-5 with two doubles, a stolen base, and a walk. This is not an ideal situation for the Guardians, who lost outfielder Angel Martinez (shoulder) during the first game of Friday's doubleheader. DeLauter has been solid when he's healthy, but keeping him on the field has been difficult. For now, fantasy managers should consider DeLauter as day-to-day. Travis Bazzana took over as the designated hitter on Friday night and could see a few more starts there over the next few days. UPDATE: Manager Stephen Vogt said that DeLauter is considered day-to-day.

3 days ago

Angel Martínez • LF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Exits Early with Shoulder Injury

Cleveland Guardians infielder/outfielder Angel Martinez (shoulder) was forced to make an early exit during Friday's doubleheader versus the Detroit Tigers. According to Chris McCosky, Martinez was taken out of the game after a collision with teammate Brayan Rocchio in the fourth inning. He exited the first game hitless in two plate appearances and hasn't entered the second contest on Friday. The Guardians are considering Martinez as day-to-day with a bruised left shoulder. It doesn't sound like Martinez will require a trip to the Injured List, but the Guardians could be careful with Martinez over the next few days.

3 days ago

Angel Genao • 2B • Guardians

Angel Genao a High-Upside Infielder to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 86 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on August 5, Cleveland Guardians infielder Angel Genao is hitting .253/.314/.367 with two home runs, five RBI, 10 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 22-year-old has played every infield position other than first base, which should help keep him in the Guardians lineup most days. Genao has also posted an excellent 53.7% hard-hit rate, although his power upside is limited by his tendency to hit the ball on the ground (67.2% ground-ball rate). With his ability to consistently hit the ball hard and his well above-average 12.8% strikeout rate, Genao could work his way into being a high-end source of batting average for fantasy managers. The young infielder even demonstrated some five-category upside during his time in the minors this season, hitting .300 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 419 plate appearances before being called up. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Genao could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

5 days ago

Cooper Ingle • C • Guardians

Cooper Ingle Falls from Stash Radar Amid Prolonged Slump

Cleveland Guardians catcher/outfield prospect Cooper Ingle's chances of returning to the majors this season are fading as a prolonged slump has cooled him off at the plate ever since a torrid stretch of multi-hit games that lasted from mid July to early August. Since that hot stretch, the Guardians' fifth-ranked prospect has gone 11-for-64 (.172) over his last 19 games, and hasn't recorded an extra-base hit since August 12, a period of 13 games. The silver lining here is that he continues to draw walks in bunches, tallying another two on Tuesday night and 25 during the 19-game "slump" (compared to 26 strikeouts), which allowed him to produce an on-base percentage of .417 over that same period. The left-handed hitter's season-long numbers at Triple-A still look good, with a .297/.433/.531 slash line, but there are likely better stash options available on the waiver wire in redraft leagues that have a better chance of being recalled.

6 days ago

Gavin Williams • SP • Guardians

Gavin Williams Strikes Out a Career-High 13 in Win Over Toronto

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams had a dominant bounce-back performance on Tuesday night in the team's 6-1 win at Progressive Field over the Toronto Blue Jays. Williams only allowed an unearned run on two hits while walking one and striking out a career-high 13 batters in seven innings to win his 13th game of the year and lower his ERA to 3.81. He lasted just 1 1/3 frames in his last outing in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, surrendering five earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out three. Overall, it has been a successful 2026 campaign for the 27-year-old former first-rounder from East Carolina University, primarily because he has lowered his walk rate to a career-low 7.8% in 156 innings across 27 starts. But Williams has also improved his swing-and-miss stuff and has a career-high 32.3% strikeout rate. His 13-K performance on Tuesday was his ninth game this year with double-digit strikeouts. Williams will be a must-start in fantasy in his next scheduled outing versus the division-rival Detroit Tigers, whom he has yet to face in 2026.

6 days ago

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez Nearing MLB Debut?

Cleveland Guardians first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez capped off a scorching August by getting on base three times on Sunday, going 1-for-3 with a single and two walks. The Guardians' second-ranked prospect hit .356 in August with an otherworldly 1.299 OPS and 15 home runs in 23 games. The effort pushed his slash line at Triple-A to .281/.364/.551 with 21 home runs in 75 games for the Clippers while striking out at a better-than-average rate of 20.8 percent. The former first-round draft pick looks ready to put his power on display in the majors, and could give Cleveland a much-needed offensive boost (4.07 runs/per game, third-worst). The left-handed hitter could get his chance now that the calendar has turned to September and rosters expand. With the kind of power in his bat, the 21-year-old is one of the top stashes for home runs and could provide a decent average along with ample RBI as well down the stretch.

6 days ago

Cooper Ingle • C • Guardians

Cooper Ingle Looks Like a Risky Stash Candidate

Cleveland Guardians catcher prospect Cooper Ingle is struggling a bit in August at Triple-A Columbus, hitting just .239 with two homers and 10 RBI. The left-handed hitter had a stint with Cleveland earlier in the season but struggled hitting just 2-for-21 with two RBI in the big leagues. He's had a relatively tough month back at Columbus and is unlikely to be called up to Cleveland again this season with the Guardians already having the tandem of Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey healthy at the catcher position. Ingle is the No. 5 prospect in the Cleveland organization and has a 55-grade hit tool. The Guardians have tried him a bit in the outfield but he is unlikely to stick there. Ingle looks to be more of a dynasty league play and makes for a risky addition in redraft leagues.

Aug 29

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez Well Worth a Late-Season Stash

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez hit another home run on Friday night to continue his scorching-hot month of August at Triple-A Columbus. Velazquez has 15 homers and 32 RBI in this month while hitting .357. The first base prospect is forcing the Guardians to consider adding him to the major league roster, making a September call-up the most likely scenario. Between Double-A Akron and Columbus this season, Velazquez has hit .292 with 28 homers and 86 RBI along with 69 runs scored. The left-handed hitter is the Guardians' No. 2 prospect with 60-grade power along with a 50-grade hit tool. At 21 years old, Velazquez is a league-winning type addition to fantasy rosters and looks like a real difference-maker down the stretch in redraft leagues.

Aug 29

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Returns From Hamstring Injury on Friday

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second in his return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and veteran right-hander Michael Wacha, per MLB.com. DeLauter is returning to Cleveland's starting nine after missing the last three games with a tight hamstring, although he did enter the last game against the Los Angeles Angels for a clutch single in the ninth inning. Fantasy managers will want to get the 24-year-old former first-rounder back into their starting lineups to begin the weekend against a right-handed pitcher. In his first year in the big leagues, DeLauter has looked like he belongs, slashing .289/.363/.451 with an .814 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine stolen bases for the Guards. He has especially looked great at the plate in August, going 24-for-68 (.353) with a .972 OPS, two homers, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 14 runs, and three stolen bases in 19 games. DeLauter is hitless in just two career at-bats against Wacha.

Aug 28

Cade Smith • RP • Guardians |

Cade Smith • SP • Yankees

Cade Smith Still an Elite Source of Saves in Cleveland

Despite allowing a run in two of his last three appearances, Cleveland Guardians right-handed closer Cade Smith has locked down five saves since his last blown save on Aug. 5 against the New York Mets. In 10 appearances (10 innings pitched) in August, Smith has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with six walks, 14 strikeouts, five saves, and one blown save. The 27-year-old Canadian earned his first All-Star nod this year and has really stepped up at the back end of the Guards' bullpen in 2026, going 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA (2.52 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, a career-high 35 saves, 84 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 60 relief innings. His 35 saves trail only Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker for the lead in MLB, and his 84 strikeouts are tied with Brent Headrick and Grant Taylor for fifth in baseball among all relievers. The former 16th-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2017 has picked up a save in each of his last four appearances out of the bullpen, and he's not slowing down at all as we approach the final month of the regular season in September.

Aug 27

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Continues to Sit With Hamstring Injury

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) will miss a third straight game on Wednesday on the road against the Los Angeles Angels, according to MLB.com. Jo Adell is starting in right field and will bat cleanup for the Guards against his old team and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. DeLauter is not believed to be dealing with an injury serious enough to send him to the 10-day injured list, and with a scheduled day off for the team coming on Thursday, he could be back in the starting nine for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is rostered in just under 70% of Yahoo leagues as we near the end of August after hitting .287/.362/.449 with an .811 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his first 414 big-league at-bats. DeLauter has hit a cool .313 (36-for-115) with two homers, 13 RBI, and six steals in the second half and an impressive .349 (46-for-132) with two of his 13 dingers against left-handed pitchers. Check back on Friday to see if he has been cleared to rejoin Cleveland's starting lineup.

Aug 26

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Red-Hot Ralphy Velazquez Has League-Winning Upside

For fantasy managers looking to close out their season on a high note, there may not be a better September option than Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez. At Triple-A Columbus, Velazquez is coming off a three-homer game on Saturday and has been scorching hot at the plate in August, making a September call-up very likely when rosters expand. Cleveland's No. 2 overall prospect has 14 homers and 27 RBI in 70 August at-bats with a .371 batting average. Given a 60-grade for power, the left-handed swinging first base prospect could be a big boost to the Cleveland lineup as well as fantasy managers who take a shot and add him ahead of the promotion news. Velazquez has hit all season long between Double-A Akron and Columbus with 27 homers and 81 RBI while hitting a combined .293. He is looking like a potential league-winning waiver-wire addition.

Aug 26

Cooper Ingle • C • Guardians

Cooper Ingle Can Be Left On the Waiver Wire Amid Triple-A Struggles

Cleveland Guardians catcher prospect Cooper Ingle has slowed down his hitting in the month of August at Triple-A Columbus and is therefore not a high-priority stash candidate. Ingle has hit two homers in 61 August at bats with nine RBI and a .230 batting average. The catcher and outfielder already received a shot at playing in Cleveland this season. In 21 major-league at-bats, Ingle had two hits and two RBI and struck out 12 times. In all with Columbus this season, Ingle is hitting .303 with 18 homers and 61 RBI. The Guardians are currently using a catching tandem of Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey at the big league level so it will be difficult for Ingle to make it back to the majors. Ingle can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.

Aug 26

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Remains Out on Tuesday

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) will sit again in Tuesday's game against the hosting Los Angeles Angels due to a hamstring injury, according to MLB.com. Jo Adell will make the start in right field against his former team and will bat cleanup for Cleveland against Angels right-hander Walbert Urena. It will be the second straight game that DeLauter rests due to a tight left hamstring that has been bothering him of late (he missed three games last week as well). The Guardians do not think it is a situation that will require a stint on the injured list, though, so fantasy managers should consider the left-handed hitter to be day-to-day. Check back to see if he is ready to return to the diamond on Wednesday in Anaheim. The 24-year-old former first-rounder from James Madison University has found his way onto rosters in 70% of Yahoo leagues while hitting a cool .288/.363/.450 with an .813 OPS, 13 homers, 59 RBI, 52 runs, and nine stolen bases in his first 413 at-bats in the majors in 2026. DeLauter has hit over .300 with two homers in the second half, and he is also batting .349 (46-for-132) with two of his 13 homers against lefties.

Aug 25

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Scratched With Hamstring Tightness

Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. It is the same issue that cropped up during the team's last homestand that caused DeLauter to miss some time. Angel Martinez is starting in right field for Cleveland and is hitting sixth against Angels right-hander George Klassen at Angel Stadium. Fantasy managers need to pull DeLauter from their starting lineups on Monday and hope he can return for Game 2 of the series in Anaheim on Tuesday. We will consider the left-handed slugger to be day-to-day until further notice. DeLauter is rostered in just over 70% of Yahoo leagues in what has been a productive first year in the big leagues. The former first-rounder came into the new week hitting .288/.363/.450 with an .813 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine steals in 413 at-bats. He has been red-hot in 17 August games, going 23-for-66 (.349) with two homers, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. UPDATE: The Guardians are hopeful that DeLauter can return to the lineup on Tuesday.

Aug 24

Ralphy Velazquez • 1B • Guardians

Ralphy Velazquez Could Make for a Nice Late-Season Addition

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez has hit three homers in his last four games at Triple-A Columbus in what has been a scorching-hot month of August for the left-handed hitter. Velazquez has 11 homers and 20 RBI this month with a .356 batting average and 17 runs scored. The 21-year-old has split time this season between Double-A Akron and Columbus and combined to hit .288 with 24 homers and 74 RBI. Velazquez is the No. 2 prospect for Cleveland and has 60-grade power with a 50-grade hit tool. If Velazquez keeps hitting at this pace this month, he should get a chance for a promotion to Cleveland. The Guardians could use the power upside that Velazquez brings, and he would be a welcome addition to many fantasy teams late this season.

Aug 22

Cleveland Guardians News

LEGEND