Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means looked extremely sharp during Saturday's matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of this game. However, Andres Gimenez ended his chances of his second-career no-hitter with a solo blast in the seventh inning. Despite that, Means was nearly untouchable during his third start back after having Tommy John surgery. He carries a 2.65 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, across 17 innings into his next start against the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (shoulder, back) was activated from the injured list Tuesday and made his first big-league start since April 2022, taking a loss in a 5-2 game against the Cardinals. Means pitched well considering his long absence due to Tommy John surgery and a back strain, allowing three runs on five hits (including two home runs) and no walks with one strikeout over five innings pitched. The 30-year-old lefty was the O's best starter in his last full season in 2021, so his return is most welcome. His next start would likely be a tough matchup against the Rays. Despite the excitement surrounding his return, fantasy managers may want to avoid him for the matchup given his long absence from big-league pitching.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (back, elbow) will make his long-awaited return to a big-league mound for a start on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The start will mark his first in the majors since April 13 of last year. Means has spent the last 514 days on the injured list after having Tommy John surgery in May of 2022 and after having a setback this May due to a back strain. The 30-year-old southpaw was the O's best pitcher before his elbow injury, and if all goes well with his return, he should figure into Baltimore's playoff rotation in October. Means went five innings in his last two minor-league rehab appearances, so he shouldn't be very limited in his debut with the O's on Tuesday, but he'll still be plenty risky as a fantasy streamer.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (back, elbow) is set to make his sixth and likely final rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. The 30-year-old made his first rehab start on August 10 but has been out of action since April 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery and a left teres major strain. While Means has spent his career as a starter, manager Brandon Hyde said there are, "some plans in place and different scenarios" for his role when he does return. If he were to join the starting rotation, he could be a late-season boost to fantasy lineups, as he owns a career 3.81 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 70 career games (65 starts).

Baltimore Orioles left-handed pitcher John Means (back, elbow) had another strong rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk, tossing five scoreless innings. Means allowed just a hit and two walks while striking out six. He also threw 86 pitches in the outing, meaning he could be stretched out enough to join the Orioles rotation for his next turn. The problem is that the O's haven't committed to Means returning as a starter, as they already are running a six-man rotation as is. Still, there are a couple of struggling starters within that group of six, and Means has looked solid enough that he could get a shot. He is worth a stash in all leagues in case he does get that opportunity.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (back, elbow) made his second rehab start Tuesday for Double-A Bowie. Means pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts over 45 pitches. The 30-year-old was in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery when he sustained a strain to his left teres major. As such, he is now projected to join the O's potentially in early September. Means had a solid 2021 campaign before his injury in 2022, so he could be a useful asset to both the O's and fantasy managers to finish the season.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (back, elbow) had a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Bowie on Thursday and threw two-plus scoreless innings (28 pitches) while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out two. He retired the first six batters he faced before giving up a leadoff single in the third inning and being pulled. It was Means' first rehab start since having Tommy John surgery last year. Because of such a long layoff, the 30-year-old southpaw will need at least a few more rehab starts, but he should be an option for the O's in the final month of the regular season in September. For fantasy purposes, expectations should remain low for Means once he's back in the big leagues in 2023.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow, back) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Thursday. The left-hander is nearly 16 months removed from having Tommy John surgery. He also suffered a back strain in May, which pushed his timetable back even further. The 30-year-old is going to require several rehab starts before being ready for the big leagues again. If all goes well, Means should be an option for the O's in early September.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (back, elbow), who recently suffered a setback when he injured his back, is feeling good now and plans to pitch in 2023. Means was originally rehabbing from reconstructive elbow surgery in April of last year. "It feels great right now," Means said. "I don't feel it when standing here or anything. It's just kind of like when I put socks on or pull stuff." Means is hoping to return at some point in August, and his workouts remain scaled back as he recovers. The 30-year-old southpaw is currently on the 60-day injured list and it's unclear when he'll resume throwing bullpen sessions, so fantasy managers in mixed leagues can leave him on the waiver wire for now. But when healthy, Means has proven in the past that he has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation arm.

According to Orioles general manager Mike Elias, starting pitcher John Means (elbow, back) suffered a setback. The 30-year-old had been working his way back from Tommy John surgery, recently throwing bullpen sessions. However, he's now burdened by a muscle strain in his scapula area, delaying his return until July. Of course, Means wasn't the most enticing fantasy option when he was healthy. But the left-hander is still worth monitoring once he's healthy, especially for fantasy managers dealing with injuries.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions every week, using just his fastball and changeup, according to MLB.com, in his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in April of last season. The 30-year-old is making decent progress and is expected to return at some point in July. Eventually, Means will need to ramp up his bullpen sessions and then complete a rehab assignment. The left-hander threw just eight innings last year, posting a 3.38 ERA, but was a solid fantasy option in 2021, pitching to a 3.62 ERA, 22.7% strikeout rate, 1.03 WHIP, and six victories over 26 starts. If Means can get right back to where he left off, he should be a solid contributor once again, but he may need some time to shake off the rust.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that left-hander John Means (elbow) will throw off a half mound sometime next week, but it won't be on Monday. Means had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last April and is slowly building things back up ahead of the 2023 season. The 29-year-old southpaw could possibly return sometime around July or August, barring any setbacks along the way in his rehab. Means is still worth stashing in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues, but fantasy managers are going to have to be patient. He had a 3.62 ERA (4.62 FIP), 1.03 WHIP and 22.7 percent strikeout rate in 26 starts in 2021 and was an All-Star back in 2019. Means will be a big part of Baltimore's rotation when he's back, but it would be wise not to expect a ton from him in 2023.

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that starting pitcher John Means' (elbow) Tommy John recovery has been going as expected, but July will be on the early side of the timeline for his eventual return. The 29-year-old left-hander had Tommy John surgery in late April of last year, so fantasy managers shouldn't have been expecting him to be ready to return to Baltimore's rotation in the first half of the 2023 season. Even when Means is able to return to the field this year, he won't be guaranteed to be sharp after having elbow reconstruction. He made just two starts before being shut down in 2022, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out seven in eight innings.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow) posted a video on his Twitter page of himself throwing on Monday. Means has begun his recovery from Tommy John surgery in April. There remains no timetable for his return next year, but fantasy managers should fully expect him to start the regular season on the injured list. The 29-year-old southpaw pitched in just two games in 2022 before going under the knife, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out seven in eight innings. Means will mostly likely miss at least the first couples months of the 2023 season before returning to Baltimore's rotation. It remains to be seen if he can rediscover his All-Star form from the 2019 season.

The Baltimore Orioles and starting pitcher John Means (elbow) have reached an agreement on a two-year, $5.925 million deal in order to avoid an arbitration hearing. The 29-year-old underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery about 10 days ago. If his recovery goes well, we could see him back in the majors at some point in late 2023. Means only made two starts this year prior to his season being cut short. Over 70 career games in the MLB, Means is 20-24 with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) announced on Saturday that he will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Means made the announcement on his Twitter account, stating that multiple MRIs confirmed that Tommy John surgery would be required. The 28-year-old was only able to make two starts this year before suffering the left elbow injury that's prompting his surgery. He pitched eight innings and had a 3.38 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over those two starts. Based on the usual recovery timeline for Tommy John surgery, we're looking at a return to the majors in late 2023 for Means, assuming all goes well.

The Baltimore Orioles moved left-hander John Means (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Sunday with a left elbow sprain. The team also optioned left-hander Alexander Wells to Triple-A Norfolk and selected the contract of right-hander Marco Diplan from Norfolk. The Orioles initially placed Means on the 10-day injured list on Friday, but now he'll be out for at least two months with his elbow injury. It's a tough blow for the Orioles and fantasy managers. The 28-year-old had allowed three earned runs and eight hits while walking two and striking out seven in eight innings over his first two starts of the season before suffering the injury. Fantasy managers should keep Means stashed in all formats.

The Baltimore Orioles placed left-hander John Means (elbow) on the injured list on Friday with a left elbow strain. Right-hander Travis Lakins was recalled from the minors in a corresponding move, while Kevin Smith was removed from the 40-man roster and cleared waivers. Means left his start on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers with left forearm tightness, and an MRI exam revealed a strained elbow. The 28-year-old southpaw allowed three earned runs and eight hits while walking two and striking out seven in his first two starts over eight innings pitched. Means wasn't overly concerned about the injury initially, but it remains to be seen if he can return to the O's rotation in 10 days.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (forearm) is set to undergo an MRI on his forearm in the next day or so, according to Dan Connolly of The Athletic. Means was removed from his start on Wednesday after experiencing forearm tightness. The left-hander stated that he has never felt any tightness in his forearm before, but also said that he wasn't too concerned about it. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde seems similarly unconcerned about the issue as he told reporters that Means' removal from Wednesday's game was "precautionary." As of now, it seems likely that Means will be able to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics, but keep an eye out for updates on the MRI results in the next few days.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher John Means (forearm) exited Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers early due to forearm tightness. He allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out two over four innings before leaving Wednesday's contest after just 51 pitches. The severity of his injury is unknown, and the southpaw is considered day-to-day. Means owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and seven strikeouts across eight innings in 2022. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation as his status for his next start is unclear. Stay tuned for further updates.