Guardians notes: First-rounders Chase DeLauter and Jace LaViolette dealing with injuries

CLEVELAND — The news isn't good for former first-round picks Chase DeLauter and Jace LaViolette. DeLauter, the Guardians' No. 16 pick out of James Madison in the 2022 MLB draft, is currently sidelined with right wrist soreness. He is scheduled to visit hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham this week. "He desperately wants to be out there," Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. "(Graham) can assess what's happening and determine the right path to move forward." Antonetti said he expects Graham to make a "thorough assessment" of the outfielder's injury. LaViolette, Cleveland's No. 27 pick from Texas A&M in this year's draft, broke his left hand in the Southeastern Conference tournament and had surgery. Less than 24 hours later, he was in the lineup for the Aggies. "It's one of the most unbelievable things I've ever seen," A&M coach Michael Earley told reporters. Antonetti said LaViolette had "follow-up" surgery after the postseason and won't be assigned to any of the Guardians' minor league teams this season after having the two procedures. "He ended up playing the next day (after the first surgery)," Antonetti said. "He's really tough. That's a good thing, but that was probably not the best thing (for him). He ended up having a follow-up procedure after the season." The Guardians president said it doesn't make any sense for LaViolette to play anywhere the rest of this season. The former Texas A&M star will travel to Arizona to the Guardians' training complex with the rest of the drafted players. CLONES DRAFTED If it appeared as if the Guardians selected several 6-foot-3, 215-pound corner outfielders from the SEC, it's because they did. "We didn't go into the draft predisposed to take any type of player," Antonetti said. "When we look back, we took the best player available to us. In the end, many of those players had similar attributes, especially the position players. "I'm really excited about the group of players." He joked that reporters should ask him in 2030 for a further assessment of the 2025 draft. Antonetti said the good news is that the Guardians should be able to sign all of the players drafted. STEPHAN 'EXTENDED' Reliever Trevor Stephan, who had Tommy John surgery, had been on a rehab assignment at AAA Columbus. Antonetti said current rules allow players with Tommy John surgery to have their rehab window extended in 10-day increments. "We extended his rehab and he'll go back to Columbus," he said. LAKE COUNTY-BOUND Antonetti said right-hander Shane Bieber, who also had Tommy John surgery, will continue his comeback at Lake County, possibly on Tuesday. The Guardians president said Bieber will pitch two or three innings for the High-A team. They want to build up Bieber to where he can eventually pitch five or six innings for the parent club. BRITO BUMMED Second baseman Juan Brito, who strained his left hamstring, won't be back anytime soon. "It's going to be a while," Antonetti said. "It was a significant strain. It's going to be weeks before he's ready." ORTIZ IN CLEVELAND Suspended pitcher Luis Ortiz, who is on paid leave until Aug. 31 while MLB investigates some peculiar activity, will remain in Cleveland for the time being, Antonetti said. The Guardians are able to "support his fundamental work and his strength and conditioning," the team president said. "He's working out with weighted balls. He's working out on the west side of town." NEW EXPERIENCE Outfielder-turned-pitcher Tyler Naquin has been throwing at Lake County. "It's a big transition going from a position player to a pitcher," Antonetti said. "Right now, he's working through the first steps of what it takes to be a pitcher. "He's working through all of that. The encouraging thing is we see interesting attributes with his stuff and his pitch quality. Tyler is committed to making this work." NEW VOICE While 2025 Ford Frick Award recipient Tom Hamilton is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, AAA Columbus broadcaster Ryan Mitchell — who is in his 17th season with the Clippers and 24th in professional baseball — will be making his MLB broadcasting debut during the Guardians' three-game series at Kansas City on July 25-27. Former Cleveland player Pat Tabler will join him in the radio booth. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com.