Manager Terry Francona addressed the chain reaction the Josh Donaldson trade has caused in the Tribe's clubhouse. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Manager Terry Francona didn't get a chance to talk with Josh Donaldson on Saturday afternoon because Donaldson's flight from Tampa to Cleveland was delayed. He was scheduled to arrive at Progressive Field just before game time so Chris Antonetti, Mike Chernoff and the team's medical staff handled any in-depth conversations about what it will take to get the former AL MVP back on the field on a regular basis.

But here are two things that have already taken place. Francona met with Jose Ramirez and Jason Kipnis on Saturday about changing positions to accommodate Donaldson if and when he's able to play third base.

Ramirez told Francona he's more than willing to play second base with this caveat, he doesn't want to be bouncing between the two positions. Francona said he told Ramirez that would not happen. As for Francona's conversation with Kipnis, he said the former All-Star was "not jumping for joy" and he didn't expect him to be. Francona added that Kipnis will start working out in center field in the near future.

Francona was reluctant to say just how he intends to use the three-time All-Star until he has a chance to sit down and talk to him. That's use as in where he'll hit in the lineup and how often he'll be able to play.

"I'd like to talk to him first," said Francona. "My guess is the respectful way for him to find out is not through the media. Part of that is listening to him, too. We want to hear what he has to say and what he thinks because that's important and then we'll put a plan in place."

There is one thing Francona wanted to emphasize with Donaldson.

"The one thing I want him to understand is, we're moving Jose for him and we don't want to move Jose back and forth," said Francona. "So when we get him playing, we want it to at least be pretty regularly."

Ramirez is a candidate for the AL MVP award. He's played second base down the stretch last year, and many with the Indians feel that's his best position, but with a month left in the season asking him to change positions is not a request that would be met with universal approval.

"If they make that decision, then I'm going to feel good (about it)," said Ramirez. "I'm going to do the best I can to win. That's what we all want to do here."

On the team's last trip, Francona said he had concerns about moving Ramirez from third to second base because it may expose him to injury when opposing runners slide into second base trying to break up a double play.

The Indians acquired Donaldson and cash considerations from Toronto on Friday before the midnight waiver deadline for a player to be named later. It's been reported that the Blue Jays sent $2.7 million to the Indians to help pay for the remaining $4 million left on Donaldson's contract.

Donaldson, 32, hasn't played in a big league game since May 28 because of a strained left calf after missing time earlier in the season with a sore right shoulder. He played two rehab games for Class A Dunedin earlier in the week and the Indians and several other teams were on hand to scout him.

"He's an MVP-type player, a middle-of-the-order bat," said Francona. "When he was on the other team, I used to joke with Millsie (bench coach Brad Mills), 'I hope he swings so hard he hurts his back.'

"He kind of puts a little fear in you when he gets in the batter's box. He plays with an edge. He plays hard. Again there's no crystal ball, we know that. We know there's some risk there, but it's got a chance to make us better."

As for delivering news that Ramirez and Kipnis may not have wanted to hear, Francona said, "I applaud our guys (for doing this). Sometimes you get to this part of the year and all of a sudden it's a little uncomfortable because you're have discussions with guys, but that doesn't make it wrong. That's what I tried to tell Chris (Antonetti). I'll do my part."

Francona indicated that until Donaldson is ready to play Ramirez and Kipnis will stay at third and second, respectively. Francona added that Ramirez will start taking grounders at second base.

As for Donaldson being able to return to health in time to help the Indians in the stretch run and the postseason - they entered Saturday night's game against Tampa Bay with a 14-game leading in the AL Central - Francona said, "Yes, I think so. Again there's no crystal ball. I know that there's some risk there but I think the potential reward is worth it."

Grade Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins following his first college start on Saturday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins made his first collegiate start on Saturday. 

And he set school records for passing yards (313) and passing touchdowns (five) by a quarterback in his first start in the Buckeyes' 77-31 win vs. Oregon State.

He finished the game completing 22 of 30 passes with one interception. So how do you think Haskins looked in his first start?

What grade would you give him?

Watch us give our grades for Haskins and then give yours in the poll and comments below. Remember to subscribe to the Ohio State Football on cleveland.com channel on YouTube.

The redshirt sophomore threw for 313 yards and five touchdowns in his first career start, and there were some differences in Ohio State's offense. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State lined up with an empty backfield on third-and-6 in first quarter of Saturday's opener against Oregon State. For four years we knew what play call was coming. Quarterback draw. We also knew the outcome. J.T. Barrett was going to pick up the yards.

One of the more fascinating questions surrounding OSU's change at quarterback from Barrett to Dwayne Haskins this year was how the Buckeyes would handle that exact scenario.

On that third-and-6 on Saturday, Haskins threw a pass over the middle to Johnnie Dixon for 10 yards and a first down. Earlier in the quarter on a couple of third-and-shorts, Mike Weber ran for a first down. The Buckeyes converted 10 of 11 third-downs with Haskins at quarterback. The failed conversion was an interception. He never ran on any of those 11 plays. 

Anyone expecting a wholly transformative experience with Haskins now at quarterback was perhaps left a bit underwhelmed. There weren't a bunch of new plays and formations. There weren't a bunch of shots down the field -- really only one, and it was incomplete.

But there were changes in the Buckeyes' 77-31 win, little ones that add up to having a major impact on how they attack defenses.

Play calling on third down was one change. Here are the others:

No called quarterback runs

This was the most drastic change. Haskins had two rush attempts, both scrambles in the second half that netted 24 yards. He looked comfortable doing it, and has good footwork in the pocket to avoid trouble. But there were no draws or quarterback power calls. Haskins didn't keep on any zone reads.

"There were a couple, but the defense didn't let me pull the ball," he said.

But he also said this, which gives a better idea of where his head is and where the offense is headed.

"I don't feel like I'll need to run the ball," he said. "Seeing what we did today, we have running backs like Mike (Weber) and J.K (Dobbins) who can handle it. If I need to run like I did today I'll make the play, but I don't think I'll need to do too much quarterback run."

Against Oregon State, the offense didn't need Haskins running. There wasn't any pressure on him from the Beavers inept pass rush and the combination of Weber and Dobbins -- who together had 260 rushing yards -- was plenty effective. Better teams will make Haskins keep, though, and that's still an unknown part of his game.

"Just make a play," he said if teams start forcing him to keep.

He'll have to. Don't expect the quarterback run to be the crutch it's been for the offense since Urban Meyer has been here, but it's not disappearing.

"Dwayne can run," acting head coach Ryan Day said. "There's going to be times when he's going to need to run. But sometimes it's just kind of based on what we're seeing in terms of what the defense is giving us. He's still a threat with his legs."

Haskins' ball placement

Creates a new world for Ohio State's speedy playmakers, who too often in the past had to contort their bodies or change their stride to catch a ball that's off target.

A fact from Saturday's game is that Oregon State might be the worst defensive team in the Power Five conferences, and every thing you'll read praising OSU's offensive outburst (77 points, 721 yards) needs to come with that clarifying point. But accuracy and ball placement matter whether you're covered or running free down the middle of the field. Haskins on Saturday showed a knack for putting his receivers in good position to catch and run.

"He did a great job with timing, the way he sees things develop offensively and getting us the ball out in space," receiver Terry McLaurin said. "He gave me a chance on that little hitch route to turn my head around and get the ball, and allowed me to be an athlete."

McLaurin ran for 75 yards and a score on that play to open the second half. A lot of that is because he's a superior athlete to the guys he was playing against, but Haskins also put the ball in a place where McLaurin could catch, plant and turn up the field.

"His anticipation is very elite," McLaurin said. "We know as receivers that he's a very good timing quarterback. We just gotta get in and out of our breaks really fast, and the most important thing is running out of routes because he's gonna put it on you."

Throwing in the red zone

And not just pop passes on jet sweeps. Haskins got two gimme touchdown passes on those, but he also threw scores to McLaurin and tight end Rashod Berry from inside the 7-yard line.

The ball to McLaurin required a bit of touch, as he and Parrris Campbell crossed in the end zone and both broke wide open. The ball to Berry was in the flat, a short toss but one also put in a place that allowed him to keep running.

If Haskins is not as comfortable running in short yardage as Barrett, then Ohio State needs to counter that with a red zone passing game that's something to take seriously. Haskins doesn't only have a big arm, but also the size to see the field when it gets more confined and touch to get the ball in the right spot on short throws.

Tempo

Saturday was the most consistent tempo we've seen from an Ohio State offense. Pedal down for basically the entire first half until things slowed down some to chew up some clock in the second half.

Haskins has been described by teammates as a quick worker, ready to fit a ball through a window once he sees the slightest opening and not think too much when he's in the pocket. Translated, that means he trusts his guys to make plays more than he worries about the defense getting their hands on the ball.

That will lead to interceptions, like the one Haskins threw in the third quarter that led to an Oregon State field goal.

"I should've thrown it away," Haskins said. "I got hit by a tackle."

Otherwise, the tempo with which the offense played on Saturday meshes with Haskins' aggressive by default nature.

"We were playing at a pretty fast clip," Day said. "I've got to go back and look to see how fast we were playing, but we were really playing fast in the first half, which was the plan going in."

Ohio State and Oregon State held the ball for nearly the same amount of time. The Buckeyes had it for 31:16, and the Beavers for 28:44. Ohio State ran 24 more plays.

Much will be written about Haskins, and how he was born for the spot he's in now after declaring when he was eight years old that he'd end up playing quarterback for Ohio State.

"It's been an 11-year dream," he said. "I was thinking about that yesterday, how far I came just to be here."

It's a cool story, one that could have a special ending.

But after months of wondering, we finally got a chance to see what the road there might look like.

It's a new world for Ohio State's offense.

Catcher Eric Haase made his first trip to the big leagues on Saturday when he joined the Indians from Class AAA Columbus. Right-hander Jon Edwards joined him for his first trip to the big since 2014.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Catcher Eric Haase made his first trip to the big leagues on Saturday. Right-hander Jon Edwards made his first since Aug. 15, 2014.

They came from the same place, Class AAA Columbus, as the Indians started padding their roster for September and the stretch run on the first day rosters could expand. In other moves newly-acquired Josh Donaldson was added to the 25-man roster, Rajai Davis was activated from the disabled list and Evan Marshall was designated for assignment.

Manager Terry Francona told reporters Saturday that right-hander Neil Ramirez will come off the DL in time for Sunday's game. He's been out with back spasms since Aug. 23.

Haase, who has spent seven years in the minors, found out about his promotion Friday when Clippers manager Chris Tremie called him into his office.

"I came to the field like a normal day," said Haase. "Obviously, I knew the rosters expanded on Sept. 1 and I'm on the roster. I thought there was decent opportunity that they'd carry three catchers in September, but nothing is for sure.

"We have a close race for the playoffs in Triple-A. I was waiting to see. Before the game my manager grabbed me and we walked into his office Carter (Hawkins) and James (Harris) were there and they told me. That's pretty much it. I called my wife and family and agent."

Hawkins is assistant general manager and Harris is director of player development.

Haase, 25, hit .236 (102-for-443) with 24 doubles, 20 homers and 71 RBI at Columbus. When he left Columbus he was tied for fourth in homers and ranked six in RBI in the International League.

Edwards, 30, pitched in the big leagues with Texas and San Diego in 2014 and 2015. He missed the 2016 and 2017 seasons because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The Indians signed him to a minor league deal on March 22 after a tip from closer Cody Allen.

"I was working out with Cody in Texas in the offseason and I think he passed my name along to the Indians," said Edwards. "I started talking to the Indians and it just went from there."

Edwards was a combined 2-1 with four saves and a 3.63 ERA at Class AA Akron and Columbus. He struck out 56 and walked 15 in 39 2/3 innings.

"He's been an interesting arm," said Francona. "Mid-90s fastball, some experience, a guy who could potentially help us next year, too, so we wanted to get a look at him."

Check it out: Right-hander Trevor Bauer had an MRI on the stress fracture in his right leg Friday to check the rate of healing.

"They saw, from the way they termed it, minimal improvement," said Francona, "which I think was essentially what was expected at the three-week mark."

Bauer was hit by a line drive on Aug. 11. The prognosis was that he'll be out for four to six weeks.

"He's thrown a couple of bullpens," said Francona. "He felt some minimal soreness when he did that. The medical people told me that when he shows up every day they plan out the day depending on how he feels. That's the way they'll continue to do it."

Finally: Right-hander Cody Anderson, who underwent Tommy John surgery on March of 2017, was at Progressive Field on Saturday to throw a bullpen session. He'll continue his rehab assignment with Akron. . .Donaldson walked into the Tribe's clubhouse about a half hour before their 7:10 p.m. game against Tampa Bay. He'll wear No. 27. . .Before Saturday's game, a video of Chris Antonetti's ride along with one of the Blue Angels was shown on the scoreboard at Progressive Field. Antonetti, president of baseball operations for the Indians, called it one of the coolest experiences of his life.

On Friday night Corey Kluber won his 17th game with a win over the Rays. On Saturday night lefty Blake Snell returned the favor.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- On Friday night, Corey Kluber showed the Rays what it's like to face a Cy Young candidate under full sail. On Saturday night left-hander Blake Snell returned the favor.

Kluber, in Friday's 3-0 win, allowed two hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts for his 17th win. Snell led the Rays to a 5-3 win over the Indians with nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings for his 17th win of the season.

Snell (17-5, 2.02) allowed eight hits one two runs, one earned, for his fifth straight win in as many starts. He retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced, half on strikeouts.

Tribe rookie Shane Bieber (8-3, 4.66) lost his first game since July 24 against Pittsburgh. He allowed four runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. The nine hits were the most he's allowed since July 3 against Kansas City.

Bieber took a 2-0 lead into the sixth, but the Rays were waiting for him. They bunched four hits, including three doubles, to take a 3-2 lead. Tyler Olson relieved and gave up a soft single to Kevin Kiermaier to score Tommy Pham to make it 4-2.

Brandon Lowe started the rally with a leadoff single. Joey Wendle, the former Tribe farmhand, doubled Lowe to third and they both scored on Matt Duffy's double to right to tie the the score. Pham's double made it 3-2 and ended Bieber's night.

"It's happened in a couple of starts," said manager Terry Francona. "He'll go and command so well and then for about four or five hitters the ball wanders over into the middle (of the plate). He'll miss over the plate.

"He does so good a job working ahead, but early in the count he was catching watch too much of the plate."

Said Bieber, "I think they were sitting off-speed a little bit. The third time around the order teams have been seeing me a little bit better. I'm pretty frustrated with it. I feel like I've put myself in position to have the kind of outings I want, but the third time through the order they're making adjustments before I can make adjustments.

"To me that's frustrating, but it's part of the process and I've got to learn from it."

Snell's 2.02 ERA is the third lowest in the big leagues behind Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale.

"I thought we had some really good at bats early just to get what we did," said Francona. "His stuff in phenomenal. Velocity, change up, breaking ball, he's got the whole package."

The Rays, who have won nine of their last 11 games, stretched the lead to 5-2 in the ninth on Lowe's leadoff homer off the right field foul pole. It came off Josh Tomlin, who has allowed 22 homers in 54 innings this season.

Jason Kipnis, pinch-hitting, answered Lowe's leadoff homer with one of his own to start the bottom of the ninth. It was the 14th homer by Kipnis this season and like Lowe's it hit the right field foul pole, but it wasn't enough to lift the Indians. Adam Kolerek retired pinch-hitter Yonder Alonso for the final out of the night to earn his second save.

The Indians took a 2-0 lead off Snell in the second. Brandon Guyer turned a bad throw from Duffy at third base into a two-base error. Melky Cabrera scored him with a double to left center. Yan Gomes followed with another double to make it 2-0.

Michael Brantley, with two out, singled to center, but Gomes was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

The Rays missed a chance to take the lead in the first. Wendle opened the game with a single, but on an apparent hit-and-run, he broke for second as Duffy hit a weak foul pop to Edwin Encarancion at first, who flipped to Bieber for a unique 1-3 double play.

Ji-Man Choi, the next batter, doubled to center. Pham made the inning a bit more frustrating for the Rays when he sent a rocket to deep center. Guyer, making just his second start in center, lost his feel for the wall, but still made a leaping catch to end the inning.

What it means

In the race for home-field advantage in the ALDS, the AL West-leading Astros stretched their lead over the AL Central-leading Indians to 5 1/2 games. Houston scored five runs in the eighth inning Saturday night to rally past the Angels.

The Indians, despite losing to the Rays on Saturday night, saw their Magic Number to clinch the division drop to 14 because Minnesota lost to Texas.

The pitches

Bieber threw 81 pitches, 56 (69 percent) for strikes. Snell threw 101 pitches, 62 (61 percent) for strikes.

Josh is in the house

In the seventh inning the scoreboard at Progressive Field showed Josh Donaldson, the newest Indians, standing along the rail in the Indians dugout. He drew a nice round of applause from the new sellout crowd.

The Indians acquired Donaldson from Toronto on Friday night for a player to be named.

Thanks for coming

The Rays and Indians drew a 31,816 to Progressive Field on Saturday night. First pitch was at 7:10 p.m. with a temperature of 86 degrees.

Next

Carlos Carrasco (16-7, 3.38) will face the Rays on Sunday at 4:10 p.m. The Rays have not announced a starter.

Carrasco is 4-3 with a 2.77 ERA in nine appearances, including eight starts, against the Rays.

Doug, Bill and Tim breakdown Ohio State's 77-31 win over Oregon State.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- We're breaking down Ohio State's season-opening 77-31 win over Oregon State on this postgame edition of our Buckeye Talk Podcast.

You can always submit questions via Twitter to the @BuckeyeTalkPod account. You can also now submit questions, comments and complaints via email to BuckeyeTalkPod@gmail.com.

Before listening to the podcast below, make sure to subscribe to Buckeye Talk at any of these places:

* Buckeye Talk on iTunes

* Buckeye Talk on Google Play

* Buckeye Talk on Stitcher

* Buckeye Talk on Spotify

The Browns are expected to be active on the waiver wire.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hard Knocks darlings Nate Orchard and Devon Cajuste were among Browns players let go as part of the moves to reduce the roster to 53 players. The Browns also waived two 2017 draft picks in running back Matthew Dayes and defensive lineman Caleb Brantley.

Among the moves the Browns made, they also acquired defensive lineman Devaroe Lawrence from New Orleans in exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2019.

Orchard was cut despite a strong showing on Thursday night against Detroit, highlighted by an interception return for a touchdown. It wasn't enough to beat out Carl Nassib.

Dayes had a strong showing, too, on Thursday night, rushing eight times for 77 yards. He was pushed out of a crowded backfield, though, that includes Carlos Hyde, rookie Nick Chubb and Duke Johnson.

Cajuste's unique personality and backstory -- his father has suffered three heart attacks -- was a staple of this season of Hard Knocks. There was some thinking the Browns could keep him over Seth DeValve, who struggled to stay on the field during camp. The Browns chose to keep DeValve and picked Orson Charles over Cajuste as a fourth tight end.

Fullback Danny Vitale was waived with an injury designation. Vitale was the only fullback on the roster throughout training camp and the preseason, but dealt with a calf injury that he aggravated on Friday.

Simeon Thomas, a member of John Dorsey's first draft pick was among players waived. He was a sixth-round pick.

The Browns hold the top position in terms of waiver priority and are expected to be active on the waiver wire.

Here is the full list of Browns cuts:

Linebackers: B.J. Bello, Brady Sheldon

Defensive linemen: Caleb Brantley, Daniel Ekuale, Zaycoven Henderson, Nate Orchard

Tight ends: Cajuste

Running backs: Dayes, Dontrell Hilliard

Wide receivers: Blake Jackson, Da'Mari Scott

Defensive backs: Mike Jordan, Montrel Meander, Tigie Sankoh, Simeon Thomas

Offensive linemen: Christian DiLauro, Spencer Drango

Punter: Justin Vogel

Fullback: Vitale (injury designation)

The Browns initial 53 man roster includes:

Quarterbacks (3): Tyrod Taylor, Baker Mayfield, Drew Stanton

Running backs (3): Carlos Hyde, Duke Johnson, Nick Chubb

Wide receivers (6): Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins, Damion Ratley, Derrick Willies, Josh Gordon

Tight ends (4): David Njoku, Darren Fells, Orson Charles, Seth DeValve

Offensive linemen (9): Joel Bitonio, Austin Corbett, JC Tretter, Kevin Zeitler, Chris Hubbard, Desmond Harrison, Earl Watford, Austin Reiter, Greg Robinson

Defensive linemen (9): Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah, Chris Smith, Carl Nassib, Chad Thomas, Larry Ogunjobi, Jamie Meder, Trevon Coley, Devaroe Lawrence

Linebackers (6): Christian Kirksey, Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert, Genard Avery, James Burgess, Jermaine Grace

Defensive backs (10): Denzel Ward, Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines, Denzel Rice, Jeremiah McKinnon, Jabrill Peppers, Damarious Randall, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, Derrick Kindred.

Watch us discuss the Ohio State player we are keeping an eye on for next week's game vs. Rutgers. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Welcome to the first edition of a new weekly series we're calling "Buckeye Watch."

This is when after each game, we pick a player to keep an eye on for the next game whether it be for good or bad reasons.

Next up for Ohio State is its Big Ten opener against Rutgers on Sept. 8. Both teams won their openers. The Buckeyes beat Oregon State, 77-31, and Rutgers topped Texas State, 35-7.

So which player do we have our eyes on for the Buckeyes' Big Ten opener. Find out in the video above, and make your own pick in the comments below. Don't forget to subscribe to the Ohio State Football on cleveland.com channel on YouTube.

Of the dozen players who are at "skilled positions," only three were with the Cleveland Browns last seasons.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Scribbles in my Browns notebook as the rosters are cut to 53:

1. The Browns have three quarterbacks, three running backs and six receivers on the roster. That's a dozen "skilled position" players. Guess how many are left over from last year? Three. That's right - three: Josh Gordon, Rashard Higgins and Duke Johnson.

2. It's a major overhaul of the key spots on offense. General Manager John Dorsey wanted experience at quarterback (Drew Stanton, Tyrod Taylor) and a top rookie (Baker Mayfield). He wanted power running backs (Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb). And he wanted new receivers (Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Damion Ratley and Derrick Willies).

3. If the Browns do have a revival this season, you can point to this revision of the roster. It's a talent upgrade. The Browns cut Mattew Dayes, a seventh-rounder in 2016. I like the North Carolina State product and I expect him to land on a roster somewhere. But the running back combination of Hyde, Chubb and Johnson should be powerful and effective.

4. I believe Dorsey will add a receiver from somewhere. The only two reliable names are Landry and Higgins. If Gordon stays out of trouble, he's a huge bonus. Callaway has natural physical gifts, but he was suspended last year at Florida and had minor injuries at different points in training camp.

5. I feel good about the quarterbacks and running backs. I've heard some in the media talk about the Browns "deep" group of receivers. That's only true if some big question marks are answered in the positive.

6. My guess is Willies (an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech) is on the roster right now. But his spot is tenuous as the Browns shop for another receiver. He could end up on the practice squad.

7. The Browns weren't just playing favorites. They brought in Jeff Janis, who spent the last four years with Green Bay. But the receiver/special teams man had a lousy camp and he was one of the first players cut. They also cut Simeon Thomas, a defensive back they drafted in the sixth round. My guess is Thomas ends up on the practice squad.

8. I was surprised by Spencer Drango being cut. He played a lot of guard in the preseason. He also played some left tackle in 2017. It looks as if he lost his job to Earl Watford, who started 19 games with Arizona in the last two seasons. Watford joined the Browns right before the fourth preseason game and impressed the coaches with how quickly he grasped the playbook.

9. The only returning offensive linemen: Kevin Zeitler, Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter and Austin Reiter. They kept nine.

10. I like Nate Orchard as a person and thought he could be an effective NFL player in the right system. But when it came down to Carl Nassib or Orchard for the last spot on the defensive line, I knew Orchard was in trouble. Nassib is a more powerful pass-rusher.

11. So my prediction of players cut by the Browns who find jobs elswhere: Dayes, Orchard and Drango. It will be a good test of the quality of the roster to see how many former Browns are claimed by other teams.

12. A year ago, the Browns added receivers Kasen Williams and Sammie Coates this time of year. They weren't much help to the team. I expect Dorsey to do better as he shops the waiver wire.

"If you're a Rutgers football team that we play next week and they watch Ohio State's defense, at this point I certainly don't think they're intimidated to play us." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State allowed 316 yards on seven plays against Oregon State on Saturday, and take away those seven devastating breakdowns, and the Buckeyes really controlled the Beavers in a 77-31 win.

It's amazing how a few simple things like a 25-yard screen, a 26-yard screen, a 49-yard slant for a touchdown, a 27-yard jump ball reception, a 31-yard run through a gaping hole, an 80-yard touchdown run off a missed tackle and a 78-yard touchdown run off a bad tackling angle can really throw a crimp into an otherwise successful defensive effort.

The Beavers gained 316 yards on those seven plays, and 76 yards on their other 56 plays.

"The standard is so high, the standard is so high," co-defensive coordinator Alex Grinch after coaching his first game as a Buckeye. "If you're a Rutgers football team that we play next week and they watch Ohio State's defense, at this point I certainly don't think they're intimidated to play us. And that's got to change very quickly."

The questions in the aftermath centered on three points, all worthy of discussion after the first Ohio State football game in eight months.

What went wrong? Who can be blamed? And sweet merciful Brutus, is the defense going to screw it up for what looks like a national title caliber offense?

What went wrong?

One issue was the absence of starting safety Jordan Fuller with a hamstring injury. He was a gametime decision and tried to go and couldn't, but Grinch, the safeties coach, was almost certain he'll be ready for next week.

He would have cleaned up some of the up front mistakes and with his speed, smarts and instincts, dragged down some ball carriers and pass catchers who ran through the secondary and past starting safeties Isaiah Pryor and Jahsen Wint. Pryor and Wint competed for a starting spot in camp and when Fuller is healthy, they'll share time, with Pryor starting. Both made their first career starts and found themselves out of position too often. The quick pass for the first score five minutes into the game saw both safeties in the wrong place.

Depth questions were also raised. The 78-yard Artavis Pierce TD run occurred after he broke a tackle from new defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson, a junior college transfer who once played at Auburn. The Buckeyes tried seven other defensive tackles at various times behind starters Dre'Mont Jones and Robert Landers. Those two can't play every snap, so Ohio State needs to figure out the rotation on the interior defensive line.

When Jackson missed that tackle, Nick Bosa, Jones and Fuller, the best three veteran defenders, weren't on the field. But there were nine starters or co-starters out there, and no one else picked up their teammate with a tackle.

Grinch noted that same play had been dropped for a loss earlier. The next time, one mistake led to a 78-yard score.

"That doesn't make it OK," Grinch said. "You've got to make tackles and we've got to make sure we're swarming to the football, that a play that breaks for 5 doesn't turn into 15. And obviously we had the extreme ones today that good defenses don't have."

Who can be blamed?

Linebackers coach Bill Davis was on the hook for some poor linebacker play that cost the Buckeyes in their two losses to Oklahoma and Iowa last year. Some of that flashed again Saturday.

The Buckeyes are young at linebacker, with junior Malik Harrison and two new starters in second-year linebackers Baron Browning and Pete Warner. On the 80-yard touchdown run, it was easy to see those two first-time starters fill holes and the running back hit the empty spot in the defense and go.

When you pick Harrison, Browning and Werner as starters, which was the right call, you have to deal with some early mistakes. Eventual All-American Ryan Shazier filled the wrong gaps the first time he played for Ohio State as well.

So cut the young backers and their coach some slack. But not too much. You can't be young for too long. 

Grinch admitted the coaches know players like Browning and Werner (who also forced a fumble that Bosa recovered for a touchdown) may have some growing pains, "but it counts," he said. "This one was on national television, and there are some plays we want to have back. We'll be better for it, but we've got to be better for it very quickly."

Also, middle linebacker Tuf Borland, returning form an Achilles injury, played some but not much Saturday. The linebackers improved last season when Borland entered the starting lineup, and when he's back all the way, more Borland may settle that position as well.

Is the defense going to hold this team back?

Opponents aren't going to be able to block defensive ends Bosa and Chase Young or Jones at tackle. Bosa and Jones each had two sacks and Young was in the backfield all day, though he wasn't credited with any tackles for loss.

But that's not enough. 

With just over a minute left in the first half, Bosa tossed aside the left tackle and Young powered through the running back, both ends meeting at the quarterback for a sack credited to Bosa. That set up a third-and-19 when the Buckeyes rushed five, Werner was blocked in the middle of the field, the secondary didn't react in time and a 31-yard run to the 7-yard line set up a touchdown.

Great pressure one play, giving it back the next.

Offenses must and will use the Buckeyes' aggression against them, and the screens and misdirection runs from Saturday will continue all season. 

"We saw quite a bit of it," Grinch said. "We've got to make sure we have great gap integrity. ... And there's not always an extra guy, especially when you talk about misdirection plays. There's not an extra guy everywhere. You are the extra guy. One missed tackle can turn into an explosive play, and that's college football in 2018."

The defensive line can control games, but it can't win games alone. Opponents will want to suck in the pass rush and then make linebackers and safeties tackle in space.

In Bosa, Young, Jones and Fuller, the Buckeyes should have four All-American quality defenders. That's three defensive linemen who were taken out of big plays Saturday, and a safety who was missing. But even eight or nine excellent players on a defense isn't always enough.

All 11 OSU defenders must be capable of playing like they are the extra guy.

At tackle, at linebacker and in the secondary, the Buckeyes are still looking for some of those guys. And they're looking for Davis, the second-year linebackers coach, and Grinch and Taver Johnson, the two new secondary coaches, to guide them.

Most of the mistakes Saturday can be explained. Most should be fixed. 

But if against teams like TCU in week three and Penn State in week five, defenders are out of position and missing tackles, it won't matter how menacing Bosa, Jones and Young look chasing quarterbacks.

So the new starters will improve.

"I think you can say that and it's probably very accurate to do so," Grinch said of chalking up a lot of the issues in the opener to youth on a defense without a senior starter.

Regardless, in game one, at least on seven plays, the Buckeyes didn't get it right, and 316 yards worth of mistakes is too much.

"It's still not the standard of Ohio State football," Grinch said. "It's not what the players signed up for and it's not what the coaches signed up for, to say it's OK to be very average. And in the end, I think it was a very average day, at best, defensively."

Check here for the live third-round leaderboard for the PGA Tour's Dell Technologies Championship 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2, in Massachusetts.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Webb Simpson (11-under) led by one shot entering the third round of the PGA Tour's Dell Technologies Championship 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2, in Massachusetts. Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose were tied for second.

• DELL TECHNOLOGIES TEE TIMES

• DELL TECHNOLOGIES LEADERBOARD

The Dell is the second of four events in the FedExCup Playoffs.

PGA TOUR
DELL TECHNOLOGIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Site: Norton, Mass.
Course: TPC Boston. Yardage: 7,342. Par: 71.
Purse: $9 million. Winner's share: $1,620,000.
Television: Sunday -- 1-3 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m., NBC; Monday -- 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 1:30-6 p.m., NBC.
Defending champion: Justin Thomas.
FedExCup leader: Bryson DeChambeau.
Previous week: Bryson DeChambeau won The Northern Trust.
Notes: Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk will make three of his four wild-card picks after the tournament. ... European Tour players in the field cannot count any world ranking points from this event to the Ryder Cup standings. ... This is the second of four FedExCup playoffs events, culminating with the Tour Championship. The top 70 in the FedExCup advance to the third playoff event next week outside of Philadelphia. ... Rickie Fowler is taking another week off to rest an oblique injury. He is No. 22 in the standings and could fall out of the top 30. ... Rory McIlroy makes his first playoff event appearance this year. ... Tiger Woods fell five spots in the FedExCup standings to No. 25. He won at the TPC Boston in 2006 and was runner-up in 2004 and 2007. ... Brooks Koepka has another shot at replacing Dustin Johnson at No. 1 in the world. Koepka trails by a narrow margin. ... After this year, The Northern Trust will alternate years between Liberty National in New Jersey and the TPC Boston. ... The tournament began in 2003 and was run by the Tiger Woods Foundation. ... Jordan Spieth tied for 25th last week and moved up 10 spots to No. 33. He never has missed the Tour Championship in his previous five years on tour.
Next week: BMW Championship.
Online: www.pgatour.com
(Fact box from Associated Press.)

Check here for the live final-round leaderboard for the LPGA Tour's Cambia Portland Classic 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Georgia Hall (18-under) led by two shots entering the final round of the LPGA Tour's Cambia Portland Classic 2018 on Sunday, Sept. 2. Minjee Lee was in second place.

• CAMBIA PORTLAND CLASSIC LEADERBOARD

A discount for fans of certain NFL teams and Ohio State is being offered at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Fans of regional NFL teams and Ohio State University can take advantage of $5 off admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum this year.

Fans of the Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will receive the NFL Fan discount from Monday, Sept. 3, through Jan. 1, 2019. Ohio State University fans have the discount available through Dec. 1, 2018.

Sorry Ravens fans, despite being in the AFC North with the three teams listed, Baltimore is out of the region and not part of this deal.

You have to wear team gear (jerseys, shirts, hats and other visible apparel) and ask for the discount at the ticket office.

Among the artifacts, interactive exhibits and 318 bronzed busts, the hall is displaying the Lombardi Trophy for Super Bowl LIII, which will be played Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta.

Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile, Brian Dawkins, Jerry Kramer, Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Brian Urlacher were enshrined this year in the Canton hall of fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame and Museum is at 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton.

Browns added five players on Sunday via waivers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are expected to add five new players on Sunday via waivers. The Browns held the league's top spot in terms of waiver priority.

The team claimed defensive linemen Carl Davis from Baltimore and Ifeadi Odenigbo from Minnesota, linebacker Tanner Vallejo from Buffalo, defensive back Tavierre Thomas from Arizona and center Aaron Neary from the Rams.

Davis was a third-round pick by the Ravens in 2015. He has played in 28 games, including 12 starts.

Odenigbo is a seventh-round pick in 2017 out of Northwestern.

Vallejo was a sixth-round pick by the Bills in 2017. He appeared in 15 games last season.

Thomas is an undrafted free agent who signed with the Cardinals following the draft.

Neary originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He spent time with Philadelphia before signing with the Rams last season.

Corresponding roster moves have not been made official.

In addition to the waiver claims, the Browns placed four players on their reserve/injured list: fullback Danny Vitale, wide receiver C.J. Board, defensive back Justin Currie and defensive end Lenny Jones.

Two players waived by the Browns were claimed on Sunday. Defensive back Mike Jordan was claimed by the Giants and sixth-round pick Simeon Thomas was claimed by the Seahawks. Wide receiver Corey Coleman went unclaimed.

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The Chargers released former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones on Sunday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones won't be backing up Philip Rivers this year in Los Angeles.

The Chargers released Jones on Sunday. He had made the team's 53-man roster the day before.

Bolts claim LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, DT T.Y. McGill; waive QB Cardale Jones, LB Hayes Pullard >> https://t.co/SeqLfEKxIU pic.twitter.com/MWDwzFKIVT

-- Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) September 2, 2018

He was a fourth-round pick of the Bills back in 2016. The Bills traded him to the Chargers prior to the 2017 season. 

Jones was in a battle with Geno Smith to be Rivers' backup during this preseason. Rapoport added that the Chargers may try to bring him back onto their practice squad if he does not clear waivers.

Jones filled in for the injured J.T. Barrett at the end of the 2014 season and quarterbacked the Buckeyes to the national championship. He won the starting job to begin the 2015 season, but eventually lost it to J.T. Barrett.

As a college quarterback, he completed 61.7 percent of his passes for 2,322 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Jones has only played one game in the NFL. He completed six of 11 passes for 96 yards with an interception.

See which Ohio State players were released by NFL teams prior to Saturday's roster deadline.

Poll: The Miami Marlins announced they would encourage fans to bring musical instruments to a designated section in the ballpark next year. Do you think the Indians should do the same in Progressive Field?

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Miami Marlins announced they are encouraging fans to bring musical instruments and flags to a section called Comunidad 305 in Marlins Park.

The right-field seats will cost $8. The name translates to "community" from Spanish, and the number represents Miami's area code.

(The Marlins also are announcing a standing-room only option with inexpensive tickets for next season, something the Indians have done for several years in The Corner bar in right field.)

Here's a story from the South Florida Sun Sentinel on the fan initiatives in Miami.

Incidentally, Marlins Park has a dance club with pool in left field called The Clevelander.

The Indians, of course, have John Adams pounding his bass drum in the top row of the left-field bleachers not far from the stadium's Home Run Porch. For some games, a Dixieland band plays in the lower-level concourse.

We answer Browns questions here about Mack, Dez Bryant and more.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hey, Mary Kay!

Hey, Mary Kay: Did the Browns make a serious
 pitch for Khalil Mack? -- Sam Lichstcsein, Chicago, Illinois

Hey, Sam: I'm told the Browns called, but it never really got serious with them. The Raiders may have known by then that the Bears were willing to give up two first-round picks, which I highly doubt the Browns would have done. Browns GM John Dorsey goes way back with Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie to their Packers days, so an inquiry was a natural. At least the Browns checked into it, which shows they're willing to look at everything possible to improve the team.

Hey, Mary Kay: Is Dez Bryant still a possibility for the Browns? -- Riley Burke, University Heights, Ohio

Hey, Riley: Nothing is imminent with Bryant, but he remains on the Browns' short list if they need to add a veteran receiver. Likewise, I believe Bryant genuinely liked the Browns and would want to play here if the money were right. For now, he may be holding out to see if a top receiver goes done and someone is willing to pay him what he wants.

Hey, Mary Kay: Will Josh Gordon play a lot vs. the Steelers even though he won't start the game? -- Kevin Young, Seattle, Washington

Hey, Kevin: The Browns will have a package of plays for Gordon, and they'll see how it goes as the game unfolds. If he's playing well and the tweaked hamstring holds up, he'll get more reps. But they don't want to push it in his first game back and risk re-injury. As far as knowing the offense and having chemistry with Tyrod Taylor, Gordon says he has a handle on the scheme, and Taylor says the two have worked together to get up to speed.

Hey, Mary Kay: I haven't heard Chad Thomas' name mentioned much if at all since he came back from injury.  How is he doing and does he deserve a roster spot over Nate Orchard just because he is a John Dorsey pick? -- Chris Ctakus, Vacaville, Ca.

Hey, Chris: Thomas has been working his back into the mix from the groin injury that landed him on the physically unable to perform list at the start of camp, but the Browns still have high expectations for their third-round pick out of Miami. As a third-teamer on the camp depth chart, Thomas didn't really jump out and make a huge impact in the same way that fifth-team linebacker Genard Avery did. Midway through camp, Avery began getting reps with the starting defense, and will continue to do so once he returns from his hamstring injury. Hopefully for the Browns, Thomas will flash the same potential.

Ohio State is favored by 33 points in its Big Ten opener vs. Rutgers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State opens as a 33-point favorite in its Big Ten opener vs. Rutgers on Saturday at Ohio Stadium according to VegasInsider.com.

The Buckeyes were a 38.5-point favorite to beat Oregon State and covered with a 77-31 win vs. the Beavers.

The Scarlet Knights won their opener vs. Texas State, 35-7, and were an 18.5-point favorite. 

OSU is 4-0 against Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten in the 2014 season. The Buckeyes' 39-point win that season is the smallest margin of victory in the brief history of the series.

Kickoff between the two teams is at 3:30 p.m., with BTN televising the game.

Josh Donaldson and the Cleveland Indians are working on a plan to get him back to playing big league games for the Tribe. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Josh Donaldson said if he were writing a book, the 2018 chapter has thus far not gone the way he envisioned. But the former American League MVP acquired Friday by the Cleveland Indians still hopes he gets the chance to write a happy ending before the season is over.

Donaldson, limited to just 36 games for the Toronto Blue Jays because of shoulder and calf injuries, worked out Sunday at Progressive Field under the watchful eyes of Cleveland trainers prior to the Tribe's game against Tampa Bay. Though a timeline for his return to playing in big league games has not yet been established, Donaldson said he is excited about the progress he's made.

"My body is coming to the point now where I feel very much comfortable in going out there and playing," Donaldson said. "Not only playing at an ordinary level, but as a very high level as well."

Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti shares that excitement with Donaldson. Antonetti acknowledged the risk involved in trading for the eight-year veteran just hours before the postseason eligibility deadline, and said Donaldson's performance when he returns after missing nearly three months of action is going to be hard to predict.

"The one thing we're confident about is when Josh is healthy and in a good spot, he's a really productive player on both sides of the ball," Antonetti said. "We were willing to take the risk."

Donaldson's arrival Saturday in Cleveland was complicated by issues with his flight, and the annual airshow taking place in town during Labor Day weekend didn't help matters. Donaldson did not get to the ballpark until about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

He went through agility drills, took infield, ran the bases and took batting practice Sunday and showed no signs of being limited. He appeared in two minor league games in Dunedin for Toronto before Friday's trade.

"Everybody feels pretty comfortable and excited about where I'm at right now," Donaldson said. "Now it's just about being able to progress me, and staying on a schedule to help this major league team win games."

Antonetti did not rule out the possibility of a minor-league rehab assignment for Donaldson, who would have to be placed on the disabled list in order for that to happen. With 26 games remaining,

Donaldson demurred when asked whether or not he felt 100 percent.

"I'd rather not talk about it," he said. "I'd rather just you be able to see it and you could judge it yourself."

Donaldson taking BP. pic.twitter.com/b6dIEfhSLa

-- Joe Noga (@JoeNogaCLE) September 2, 2018

Joining a new team this late in the season is a totally different experience for Donaldson, who began his big league career in Oakland before an offseason trade to the Blue Jays prior to the 2015 season.

"I've been around the game long enough that I'm comfortable in my own skin, and a lot of the guys that are in this clubhouse have either played against me or been teammates, so they have an idea of who I am," Donaldson said. "What makes you super cohesive and a part of whatever team you're with is helping and contributing to that team winning ballgames."

In his career, Donaldson is slashing .269/.400/.590 at Progressive Field with an OPS+ of 126. That includes seven home runs and 20 RBI to go along with 17 walks and 19 runs scored.

"If you go back and look at my numbers playing in this ballpark, they're pretty nice," he said. "I'm glad to be in a situation to where I've had success here before and I'm further trying to create that success."

Five birdies in a seven-hole stretch helped Kramer Hickok win the final Web.com Tour DAP Championship at Canterbury Golf Club.

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - The winners of DAP Championships the past two years at Canterbury Golf Club were determined by playoffs.

Kramer Hickok made sure no such playoff would take place Sunday as he ran away from the Web.com Tour field. Hickok also became the tour's first wire-to-wire winner of a tournament this year. His 14-under par total - a tournament record at Canterbury - gave him a three-stroke victory over runners-up Hunter Mahan and Matt Jones.

Hickok (63-67-68-68) got off to a bad start, bogeying the first two holes. He found his game in the middle of the round when he birdied five holes in a seven-hole stretch.

"I came in with the wrong mindset, figuring I was basically going against Stephan Jaeger in match play," Hickok said. "After those bogeys, I realized I was letting other players into the (title hunt), so I told myself, 'It's game time . . . let's go. Those birdies that put me back up from 2-over to 3-under were huge.

Though his last two rounds were 68s, they were anything but identical.

"It was more of a roller coaster factor today. I had a rough start and rough finish (he bogeyed the par 5 16th). Despite some mistakes, I'm holding the (championship) trophy, so it ended well and I finally won a Web.com Tour event.''

The DAP Championship is one of four Web.com Tour playoff events that at which players can earn PGA Tour cards for next season. Hickok secured his card before this week.

"I now know I am capable of winning on the PGA Tour,'' he said.

Mahan regained his PGA Tour card with rounds of 71-66-65-67-269. He struck the ball well Sunday but lipped numerous putts.

"I played great all week on a very hard course," said Mahan, 2010 winner of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. "I thought I handled adversity pretty well here. . . I was just a lttle too far behind to catch Kramer."

Also regaining his PGA Tour card was Jaeger, who tied for fourth with Seth Reeves at 10-under. Jaeger, however, lost his chances to win the tournament with bogeys on the final two holes.

There were two other good stories Sunday at Canterbury. One was Anders Albertson, who tied the course record of 7-under 63 set by Bobby Wyatt in 2016 and tied this week by Hickok and Sangmoon Bae.

Albertson, 25, had a chance to break the record, but missed a 7-foot par putt on the par 4 18th hole -- the third hardest hole on the course. He had to scramble to par the par 3 17th by sinking a 20-foot putt. Albertson eagled the 10th hole, a 360-yard par 4, by holing out a gap wedge.

"I had the same second shot all week on the 10th hole," said Albertson, who has his PGA Tour card secured by finishing in the top 25 money list for the Web.com regular season.  "This time, I hit it...it took one hop and in the hole it went.''

Albertson played with a bad insect bite on his ankle. He went fishing Wednesday on a farm with the family that hosted him this week when he suffered the bite.

The other story was another good round by Akron native Justin Lower, who shot a 4-under 31 on the front nine and finished at 3-under 67 to go 4-under for the tournament.

"My second round was not great (72) but I had a decent week overall," said Lower, a state champion at Canal Fulton Northwest High School. "I just needed more putts to fall, but Canterbury is one of the three toughest courses we play (on the Web.com Tour). At par 70, there's not too many scoring holes out here.

"I've been playing on tour six straight weeks. I am looking forward to doing nothing at all this week, then going out to Boise (Idaho) for the next Finals Event."

Too bad: Former PGA Tour player Aaron Baddeley was one stroke behind the leaders Sunday through nine holes, 10-under-par, when suddenly he scored two double bogeys on the back nine to spiral out of the top 20. He's a four-time PGA Tour winner, the last coming in 2016 at the Barbasol Championship.

PGA cards: Also earning PGA Tour cards Sunday were Denny McCarthy (70-66-69-67), Seth Reeves (70-67-67-66),  Jones (69-64-67-67), and Max Homa (68-69-67-67).

So long: This was the final DAP Championship at Canterbury. The Web.com will shorten the playoff format to three tournaments next year, and the DAP will not be renewed after three years at the historic Beachwood club.