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Cleveland, OH

Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do

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Time for the Guardians to Do What They Said They’d Do


With twenty games left in Spring Training, it’s looking like the Guardians are going to be pushed to put their money where their mouths have been when it comes to not blocking young players.

All offseason, President of Baseball Operations, Chris Antonetti, and General Manager, Mike Chernoff, have been clear about the plan to fix the Guardians’ hitting woes of 2025 without spending a dime in major league free agency in the attempt to do so:

As we looked at a lot of the external the possibility of external additions, one of the questions we continually have to ask ourselves is, ‘whose opportunity does this impede’”? – Chris Antonetti, 1/23/2026.

We need to get better offensively. …we believe that growth and development can come from the guys we have in the organization.“ – Antonetti, 1/30/2026

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One of our key goals was not to impede players with the most upside (from playing in Cleveland). We saw a glimpse of what Chase DeLauter could do in the playoffs. George Valera and C.J. Kayfus also showed up pretty well at the end of the season.” – Chernoff, 1/30/2026

Right now, projected to be on the Opening Day Guardians’ roster, there are two players who have over 1,000 plate appearances who are blocking younger players with less experience, eager to prove themselves as more valuable major leaguers: Nolan Jones and Gabriel Arias.

I am not writing this post to criticize the Cleveland front office for believing in Jones and Arias and for giving them their fair shot. Two years ago, I believed Arias had shown enough to get his fair chance, and last spring, I agreed with the idea of bringing Jones on board in a weak outfield group to see if he could regain his 2023 form at the plate. However, over the past two seasons Jones has now put up a 71 wRC+ in 700 plate appearances and Arias has put up a 75 wRC+ in 634 plate appearances. Jones will turn 28 years old this season and Arias just turned 26 years old; neither is likely to experience a breakout at this point in their major league careers.

In Arias’s case, replacing him involves putting Brayan Rocchio at shortstop. Rocchio is 10 and half months younger than Arias, has 100+ fewer plate appearances. He also finished 2024 with a league average 100 wRC+, while Arias finished with a 65 wRC+. There is still some slim hope remaining that Rocchio can be a league average bat – hope that no longer exists for Arias. So, the team needs to give Rocchio the reigns at shortstop and let him sink or swim, while also letting star prospect Angel Genao develop at short in Akron and, soon, Columbus. Most importantly, however, moving on from Arias with a designating for assignment, will allow the team to let Juan Brito try his hand as a full-time second baseman while the team allows Travis Bazzana to heat up at Columbus. Both Brito and Bazzana offer FAR more potential as hitters than either Arias or Rocchio and need to be featured in the Guardians’ lineup in 2026 as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Daniel Schneemann offers a perfect utility bat, capable of playing any position except catcher, and not someone who needs to be given regular plate appearances (ahem, PLEASE catch that last part, Manager Stephen Vogt). Additionally, should an injury take place with Rocchio, Milan Tolentino is having an excellent Spring Training, has an exceptional glove at shortstop, and should be capable of providing something similar to Arias’s career 76 wRC+ at the plate if called upon in a pinch. Arias is not needed on this team; while right-handed, he has a career 50 wRC+ against left-handed pitching. He also looked horrendous when asked to play outfield in the past, so he isn’t as good of an option as Schneemann in the super utility role.

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As for Jones, bringing him back as an option in centerfield made sense this offseason, but spring training is making clear that keeping him as that depth is not a priority. Both Kahlil Watson and Petey Halpin have looked very good at the plate and in the field in center. It’s one week of Spring Training, so, please, don’t think I am saying either will be good major league players. However, neither has to be good to surpass average (at best!) defense in center and a 71 wRC+ at the plate provided by Jones these past two seasons. With Steven Kwan gamely taking on the challenge of center field, DFA’ing Jones allows the team to get good, solid looks at George Valera and Chase DeLauter, as well as allowing CJ Kayfus to work on his corner outfield skills in Columbus should either of the above players get hurt. If Jones were capable of hitting left-handed pitching, he’d be a roster shoo-in, but give me Stuart Fairchild and his potential for above-average centerfield play and career 106 wRC+ vs. LHP over Jones’s fielding and career 76 wRC+ against southpaws in the fourth outfielder role. Alternatively, Angel Martinez is a fine choice in this role as well, as he has a 121 wRC+ against LHP in his brief time in the bigs – whichever the Guardians prefer is cool with me.

Finally, with the Guardians’ committed to Jones for $2 million for 2026, designating him for assignment makes it likely no team will claim him. Since Jones is short of five years of major league service time, Cleveland can option him to Columbus when he likely clears waivers and mix him into all three outfield positions there, hanging on to him for needed outfield depth. In effect, they will gain an option on a player who has potential to be a league average bat against RHP and a playable fielder in center. That’s worth retaining… but not at the expense of a roster and lineup spot needed to give exciting, young players like Valera and DeLauter a real chance at establishing themselves.

If the Guardians start the season – as I expect they will – with Jones and Arias on the roster, I will be disappointed. I know, I know… it’ll probably just be for the month of April, but April games count just as much as September games. The reps that players like Brito, Bazzana, Valera and DeLauter could get in April can help them work out early struggles to be prepared for summer success. Nothing against Jones and Arias, personally, as both seem like good dudes, but we need to be clear-eyed about what is best for this team. Giving further opportunities to two players who are extremely unlikely to be above-average major league contributors would be a mistake, given the strategy that Cleveland has espoused publicly all offseason.



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Cleveland, OH

TERRANCE MICHAEL SULLIVAN Obituary – Cleveland, OH (1949-2026)

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TERRANCE  MICHAEL SULLIVAN Obituary – Cleveland, OH (1949-2026)



TERRANCE MICHAEL SULLIVAN


OBITUARY

Born May 24, 1949, passed away May 2, 2026, aged 76 years. Husband of Christine (nee Belovich), dear father of Mary, Patrick J. (wife Kelly), Katie Murphy (husband Paul) and the late Matthew, loving grandfather of Conor, Brogan, Declan, Avery, Patrick, Gwen and Quinn, devoted son of the late John J. and Delia (nee Hanlon), cherished brother of Rev. Fr. John J., Irene, Bonnie, Mark (wife Catherine), Kathleen (deceased), Rosemary Wilson (husband Guy) (both deceased) and Thomas (wife Barbara), fond uncle and great-uncle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. PRIVATE Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Vianney Catholic Church with burial in All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID. On-line obituary and guestbook at www.DeJohnCares.com



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Cleveland, OH

Plan ahead: Road closures and where to watch the Cleveland Marathon

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Plan ahead: Road closures and where to watch the Cleveland Marathon


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland is gearing up to host the Cleveland Marathon Sunday.

Over 13,000 runners are expected to participate in the half marathon and full marathon.

The marathon and half marathon will begin at 7 a.m., and the 26.3 After Mile Party will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Here are the road closures starting Sunday at midnight:

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  • St. Clair Avenue – from East 6th Street to Ontario Street – until 3:00 p.m.

Here are the road closures starting Saturday at 6 a.m.:

  • St. Clair Avenue – from East 6th Street to West 9th Street – until 3:00 p.m.
  • West 9th Street – from St. Clair Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 3:00 p.m.
  • Superior Avenue – from West 9th Street to East 18th Street – until 7:30 a.m.
  • East 9th Street – from Superior Avenue to Euclid Avenue – until 7:30 a.m.
  • Euclid Avenue – from East 9th Street to East 22nd Street – until 7:30 a.m.
  • East 22nd Street – from Euclid Avenue to Payne Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
  • Payne Avenue – from East 22nd Street to East 18th Street – until 8:00 a.m.
  • East 13th Street – from Payne Avenue to Chester Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
  • Chester Avenue – from East 13th Street to East 12th Street – until 8:00 a.m.
  • East 12th Street – from Chester Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
  • East 18th Street – from Superior Avenue to Lakeside Avenue – until 8:00 a.m.
  • Lakeside Avenue – from East 18th Street to West 3rd Street – until 8:30 a.m.
  • East 9th Street – from Lakeside Avenue to Erieside Avenue – until 8:30 a.m.
  • Erieside Avenue – from East 9th Street to West 3rd Street – until 8:30 a.m.
  • West 3rd Street – from Erieside Avenue to Lakeside Avenue – until 9:00 a.m.
  • West 9th Street – from Lakeside Avenue to Front Avenue – until 9:00 a.m.
  • Old River Road – from Front Avenue to Carter Road – until 9:00 a.m.
  • Scranton Road – from Carter Road to Starkweather Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
  • West 14th Street – from Kenilworth Avenue to Buhrer Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
  • Buhrer Avenue – from West 14th Street to West 11th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
  • West 11th Street – from Buhrer Avenue to Clark Avenue – until 9:30 a.m.
  • Clark Avenue – from West 11th Street to West 14th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
  • Kenilworth Avenue – from West 14th Street to West 11th Street – until 9:30 a.m.
  • West 11th Street – from Kenilworth Avenue to Starkweather Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
  • Starkweather Avenue – from Scranton Road to Jefferson Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
  • Jefferson Avenue – from Starkweather Avenue to Professor Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
  • Professor Avenue – from Jefferson Avenue to Fairfield Avenue – until 9:45 a.m.
  • Fairfield Avenue – from Professor Avenue to West 11th Street – until 9:45 a.m.
  • Abby Avenue – from West 11th Street to West 19th Street – until 10:00 a.m.
  • Lorain Avenue/Carnegie Bridge – from West 20th Street to Ontario Avenue – until 10:30 a.m., RTA traffic only
  • Ontario Avenue – from Carnegie Avenue to Huron Road – until 10:30 a.m. with northbound traffic maintained, one lane southbound maintained
  • West Huron Road – from Ontario Avenue to Superior Avenue – until 10:30 a.m.
  • Detroit Avenue – from Superior Avenue to Lake Road Street – until 2:00 p.m., hard closure until noon then partial as necessary for runner right of way
  • Shoreway – from East 55th Street to West Boulevard – from 2 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  • Edgewater – from West Boulevard to West 115th Street – until 2 p.m.
  • West 115th Street – from Edgewater to Lake – until 2 p.m.
  • Lake – from West 117th Street to Shoreway Entrance until 2:30 p.m.
  • Lake – from Detroit Avenue to West Boulevard – until 11:15 a.m.
  • Clifton Blvd. – from Lake to West Boulevard – until 11:15 a.m.
  • West Boulevard – from Clifton Blvd. to Edgewater – until 2 p.m.

Rolling closures are approximate and based on the time the last runner passes through an intersection. Closures may be adjusted as necessary.

Below is the information for parking.

  • Public lots will be available throughout downtown, see clevelandmarathon.com for the full list
    • Notes:
      • Lot access may be restricted during the races
      • Check Rates and hours in advance
  • The only parking available at the Huntington Garage will be surface parking on Level 3
  • Ride RTA to skip the traffic

Here is where you can cheer on the runners:

Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Delta flight DL2750 to Atlanta returned to Cleveland following an emergency

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Delta flight DL2750 to Atlanta returned to Cleveland following an emergency


CLEVELAND, OH — A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an emergency return to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) on Friday evening shortly after takeoff.

Delta flight DL2750, a regularly scheduled 90-minute flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), departed Cleveland on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7:50 PM EDT.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900 with registration N962DZ, took off from runway 24R and began a standard climb out. However, upon reaching an altitude of approximately 22,000 feet, the flight crew abruptly halted the climb and declared an emergency, transmitting a “squawk 7700” transponder code to air traffic control.

Swift Return to Cleveland

Following the emergency declaration, air traffic controllers immediately vectored the aircraft back toward Cleveland. The plane conducted a rapid turnaround and safely touched down back at CLE at 8:47 PM EDT, exactly 57 minutes after its initial departure.

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Emergency response vehicles met the aircraft on the tarmac as a standard precautionary measure, though no injuries have been reported among the passengers or crew.

Flight Canceled for Inspection

Delta Air Lines subsequently canceled the flight, leaving passengers to be rebooked on alternative routes. The specific nature of the emergency has not yet been disclosed by the airline or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

As of Saturday morning, the Boeing 737-900 remains on the ground in Cleveland, where maintenance teams are conducting a thorough inspection to determine the cause of the mid-air incident.



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