Guardians’ Chase DeLauter Shines in Challenging No. 2 Spot: Key Takeaways

Stephen Vogt has slotted rookie Chase DeLauter into the No. 2 spot in the Guardians lineup. DeLauter bats between Steven Kwan and José Ramírez and has started hot. Through the first two games he is 4-for-9 with three homers and three RBIs.

Why DeLauter moved into the No. 2 spot

Vogt experimented with the spot in spring training. DeLauter hit .459 in camp, going 17-for-37 with three homers and eight RBIs while mostly batting second.

The manager prefers his top hitters in the top three slots. He sees DeLauter fitting there, especially versus right-handed pitching. Vogt said the lineup could change against left-handed starters.

Lineup strategy and flexibility

Vogt has made lineup decisions to “beat the starter” since taking the job before 2024. He plans to tinker night to night. Matchups will influence who bats where.

Tanner Bibee shoulder update

Tanner Bibee threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday at T-Mobile Park. He reported feeling good after the work.

Bibee left his opening-night start after five innings with right shoulder soreness. If he cannot make his next scheduled start Tuesday versus the Dodgers, Logan Allen, Pedro Ávila or Kolby Allard could step in.

Those pitchers are currently throwing in Goodyear, Arizona, before joining Triple-A Columbus. The club will continue day-to-day assessments.

Infield and catching moves

Bryan Rocchio started at shortstop for the first time in the regular season. Daniel Schneemann, a left-handed bat, moved into second base.

Gabriel Arias was given a night off against Seattle starter Bryan Woo. Vogt adjusted the infield to limit right-handed matchups.

David Fry returns behind the plate

David Fry made his first regular-season start at catcher. He missed much of last year’s throwing work while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Fry threw well this spring. Vogt praised Fry’s clean arm action and noted his strong throwing ability among major-league catchers.

Triple-A Columbus notes

Travis Bazzana tripled in the ninth and scored the go-ahead run on Juan Brito’s sacrifice fly. Columbus beat Iowa, 4-3.

Petey Halpin and Nolan Jones homered for Columbus. Hunter Gaddis threw a scoreless inning in a rehab outing. The day before, Brito collected three hits in a 5-2 loss to Iowa.

Personal note on Vogt

On Saturday morning Vogt coached first base for his son’s team. He then drove to T-Mobile Park to manage the club.

Vogt lives in Olympia, Washington, about two hours from Seattle.

Report compiled for Filmogaz.com. Key takeaways include how the Guardians are using Chase DeLauter in the No. 2 spot and the early season implications.