The way this Guardians season has gone, rehab news and notes are the top headlines unfortunately.

At least in terms of good news right now, Travis Bazzana continues to play in rehab games in Arizona coming back from his oblique injury. He’s bounced between second base and DH in back-to-back games, but also not yet playing back-to-back games at second base, nor any nine-inning games (not many of those in the Arizona heat these days). Sometime this month, he should be back in Akron.

Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber was scheduled to make a rehab start in Arizona July 15 following a few bullpens after his rehab setback a few weeks ago.

And onto more injury news we go …

Triple-A Columbus Clippers (3-3) vs. Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds)

The wait for Chase DeLauter continues. After building up to four straight games played last week, he only played three this week. He was a late scratch on July 12 and then was out of the lineup on July 13 before the break with a sore right wrist. All minor-league affiliates in baseball are off until July 18. Cleveland will assess the path forward this week for DeLauter. The days were ticking down until his debut before that hiccup. He did have a massive homer and double this week when he did play.

https://x.com/JL_Baseball/status/1943089608801292341 

In similar snake-bitten injury news, Juan Brito is back on the injured list with a hamstring strain. He was back from his thumb surgery for eight games before that injury. 

The Columbus roster was also short over the weekend – for better news. Starter Parker Messick and first baseman CJ Kayfus were in Atlanta on July 12 for the Futures Game. Messick started the game and threw an inning with a strikeout for the American League squad. Kayfus also started with a groundout, strikeout and a walk. 

https://x.com/JL_Baseball/status/1944134604270842134 

Trevor Stephan has continued his rehab in Columbus and it has not gone well. Coming back from Tommy John last March, he recorded just one out over two outings this past week wile allowing nine runs on seven hits and three walks. He surrendered three homers. His fastball has been clock between 90 and 93 MPH, well down from his 94-97 in 2022 and 2023 when he was a key setup man for the Guardians.

The Clippers will resume their season in Iowa vs. the Cubs on July 18.

Double-A Akron RubberDucks (1-5) vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants)

Not a great week in Akron, losing five times to a lean Richmond squad. The bright spot continues to be Cooper Ingle. Only unfortunately placed foul balls can stop him – such is the life of a catcher. But he’s a catcher who can hit, hitting .333/.538/.444 for the week with two doubles and worked eight walks for the week.

https://x.com/AkronRubberDuck/status/1944183752168448315 

Akron will be in Altoona (Pittsburgh Pirates) on July 18 to resume play after the break.

High-A Lake County Captains (3-3) at West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers)

A familiar face was back in Lake County as 34-year-old, former first-round pick Tyler Naquin made his affiliate pitching debut for Lake County on July 9 with a walk and a strikeout in an inning pitched, running his fastball up to 96 MPH. 

https://x.com/JL_Baseball/status/1943122142276591933 

Josh Hartle continues to angle for a promotion to Double-A Akron with five shutout innings this week, three walks and eight strikeouts. He might be the best player acquired in the Spencer Horowitz/Andres Gimenez Toronto Blue Jays/Pittsburgh Pirates swap now – maybe by default since he’s actually eligible to pitch. 

Jaison Chourio is finally back playing regularly and had six hits this week, not much power, but at this point it’s good news he’s healthy and playing everyday with the way the Guardians top prospects have been snake bitten this year.

Single-A Lynchburg HIllcats (1-5) vs. Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers)

Once again, very little hitting to note in Lynchburg this week. Interesting prospects infielder Welbyn Francisca and 1B/3B/OF Luis Merejo Jr are struggling in the dog days of summer.

Last year’s Comp A pick pitcher Braylon Doughty allowed three runs in five innings, walking two and striking out one. It wasn’t his best outing but he was efficient enough to get five innings after having one inning where he struggled as Cleveland hopes to get him more stretched out and see him become more efficient.

Another 2024 draft pick, Sean Matson, is ready for High-A. He fired four more shutout innings with three strikeouts this week. 

Lynchburg will be in Fredericksburg (Washington Nationals) to start the second half on July 18, a team that may soon have the Guardians 2025 No. 1 draft pick Jace LaViolette of Texas A&M.