Chase DeLauter Scares Fantasy Baseball Owners With Foot Injury: When Will He Return?

The Guardians endured early grief with a foot contusion to Chase DeLauter. Luckily, he may not be out too long for fantasy baseball managers.

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. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Chase DeLauter is the early leader for AL Rookie of the Year honors, after dinging 4 home runs already this season. However, fantasy baseball owners already must take caution as DeLauter is on the injury report. On Tuesday, DeLauter fouled off a ball that nailed his back foot. The X-rays came back negative, and DeLauter will sit out on Wednesday, as planned. We must now evaluate his timeframe for coming back.

Fantasy Baseball Impact

DeLauter has already risen to be a shoo-in outfield start in fantasy baseball. As a high-end prospect now in the majors, for a good team, he must be started, of course. We have him among our Week 1 fantasy baseball high-risers. He must be owned, if not already.

With DeLauter being out, we may be quite lucky. DeLauter was drafted at an ADP of OF69 in fantasy baseball. That means that owners likely have options drafted ahead of DeLauter to slot in. Nonetheless, a sharp mind will check the waiver wire.

Recent waiver wire targets include Joey Weimer, who is batting over .500 in his early MLB season for the Nationals. Owen Caissie of the Marlins is also starting, batting 6th on Wednesday, as he is 6-for-15 with 6 RBI and 3 runs scored in his three-game MLB season. Jake Bauers is then your next-best target on the Brewers, batting 4th on Wednesday and with 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, and 6 hits in his early MLB season.

Injury Update: Chase DeLauter

Luckily, DeLauter's X-rays came back negative. His foot injury is being chalked up to a foot contusion (bruise). Matters like this can be days or weeks, depending on mobility and pain tolerance. The Guardians will take it day by day, but they hope that DeLauter can return to the lineup on Friday, when Cleveland will take on the Cubs in Ohio.

The main issue with DeLauter will not be so much his hitting as his fielding. As an outfielder, it will be hard to field the baseball with a foot bruise effectively. If the Guardians so desire, they can slide him in at DH for now. That is a position where Daniel Schneemann will lose his spot and likely sit on the bench. DeLauter would likely be replaced in the outfield by either Schneemann or CJ Kayfus.

Fantasy baseball managers must ultimately have no panic. The matter has a short timeframe for return for DeLauter. It will also not affect him upon return. We escaped the worst, and now we must fill in for his absence for a short time.