Guardians GM Mike Chernoff joins Ken and Anthony to break down the offense's turnaround since the trade deadline, praising Chase Naylor's development and explaining why Travis Bazzana is hitting a rookie wall as pitchers adjust to him. He gives a detailed answer on why Ralphy Velazquez still hasn't been called up despite a torrid month in Triple-A, framing it as an opportunity problem rather than a performance one. Chernoff also weighs in on Cade Smith's underrated status following the Emmanuel Clase situation, Jose Ramirez's recovery from injury and his outlook on a potential 2027 work stoppage.
Mike Chernoff Explains Why Ralphy Velazquez Still Isn't Getting the Call
President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff of the Cleveland Guardians watch batting practice prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field on April 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
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By The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Published Sep 04, 2026, 10:20 AM ETUpdated Sep 04, 2026, 10:19 AM ET
The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
The only place to talk about the Cleveland sports scene weekday mornings is with Ken Carman and Anthony Lima from 6-10a! The show guides you through…
