Atlanta, GA
Braves Add Former All-Star Catcher: Report
The Atlanta Braves will add a veteran catcher after all.
Fansided’s Robert Murray reported on March 17 that the Braves agreed to a minor-league contract with former All-Star catcher James McCann.
Source: Free-agent catcher James McCann and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a minor-league contract.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 18, 2025
McCann played 65 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season. He hit .234 with a .667 OPS and 17 extra-base hits, including eight home runs, 31 RBI and 27 runs in 233 plate appearances.
The Braves signed McCann the same day the team reassigned fellow veteran catcher Sandy León to minor-league camp.
MLB pundits previously linked McCann to the Braves this month because Atlanta starting catcher Sean Murphy suffered a cracked rib on Feb. 28. Murphy sustained the injury on a hit-by-pitch during a Spring Training contest.
Murphy is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
The Braves didn’t pick up fellow veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud’s team option this offseason. That left the team’s catching depth rather shallow to begin Spring Training.
Other than León, Chadwick Tromp is the only other catcher (with Murphy out) that the Braves have with MLB experience.
Without Murphy, top Braves prospect Drake Baldwin has become the Braves new projected starting catcher. Baldwin began catching the Braves top starters in Spring Training after Murphy’s injury.
On Monday, Baldwin caught Spencer Strider’s first outing in about 11 months.
With McCann now in the fold, Baldwin is no longer guaranteed to start. But McCann is only joining the Braves on a minor-league deal, so the safe money is still on Baldwin beginning the 2025 campaign behind the dish in Atlanta.
McCann gives the Braves extra depth, which is needed until Murphy returns. It’s possible when Murphy does come back in the middle of April, the Braves prefer McCann over fellow veteran León.
McCann came up as an excellent defender behind the plate with the Detroit Tigers. He then experienced his best offensive season during his first year with the Chicago White Sox in 2019. McCann made the American League All-Star team that year with a .273/.328/.460 slash line. He also had 18 home runs, 60 RBI and 62 runs.
The 34-year-old played another year in Chicago, then two years with the New York Mets and two seasons with the Orioles. He is a career .241 hitter with a .673 OPS.
Atlanta, GA
Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Popular gathering spots across metro Atlanta saw heightened law enforcement presence Saturday night following rumors of potential “teen takeovers.”
Authorities say a similar event last weekend led to more than a dozen teenagers and adults being taken into custody. In response, agencies across the metro area are stepping up patrols in several high-traffic areas, including the Beltline and the Cumberland Mall and Battery districts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9 juveniles, 8 adults charged after weekend ‘takeover’ event at The Battery
Along the Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta police confirmed they increased staffing levels as a precaution. An APD officer on scene told Atlanta News First that officers are maintaining an enhanced presence due to the takeover rumors. An Atlanta News First crew observed multiple people put in handcuffs and an APD officer at the Beltline said four guns had been confiscated.
Multiple patrol units were visible along the Beltline, with officers monitoring foot traffic and briefly detaining several individuals. Police said the show of force is intended to deter large, disruptive gatherings before they begin.
Cumberland Mall to have teen curfew Saturday after ‘takeover’ at The Battery
In Cobb County, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deployed its mounted patrol unit, with four deputies on horseback circling the mall. Units from the Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol were also seen monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity in the area.
Electronic message boards and posted signage between Cumberland and The Battery warned visitors of the increased law enforcement presence. Officers said the goal is to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s arrests and ensure public safety.
For now, officials say the evening remains calm, but they are prepared to respond quickly if large crowds begin to form.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
Atlanta, GA
The Pulse: Are pajamas really banned at the airport?
The show highlights a tongue-in-cheek social media “ban” on pajamas and Crocs at Tampa International Airport that sparked national debate over travel etiquette. The crew also covers the Atlanta Hawks’ bold “Magic City Monday” promotion featuring famous lemon pepper wings and halftime performances by T.I.. Additionally, the segment dives into Gen Z’s “loud breakup” trend on TikTok and ends with a nostalgic defense of the Burger King Whopper.
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