Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said before Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals that starting pitcher John Means (forearm) still needs to get stretched out more in his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. Means' fourth rehab start on Wednesday compounded on his recent struggles, as he was blown up for five earned runs in one-third of an inning. He's now given up 15 runs (five homers) and five walks in 7 1/3 innings in the minors, so the O's likely want to see him sharpen things up before considering activating him from the injured list. The 30-year-old left-hander is working his way back from a strained left forearm and should still be able to rejoin Baltimore's rotation in late April or early May. After posting a 2.66 ERA (5.24 FIP) and 0.71 WHIP with 10 K's over 23 2/3 frames (four starts) late last season, Means is someone to consider stashing in mixed fantasy leagues.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) gave up two runs in three innings in Thursday's rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk, allowing two hits and two walks while fanning three. Means allowed one run in three innings in his last rehab appearance after getting blown up for seven runs back on March 31, so he's starting to show signs of improvement while recovering from a right forearm strain. Manager Brandon Hyde has previously stated Means' rehab assignment will last close to the full 30 days, so the 30-year-old former All-Star won't be available for the O's likely until early May. Means missed most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, but he produced a solid 2.66 ERA (5.24 FIP), 0.71 WHIP, and 10:4 K:BB across 23 2/3 innings after returning late last year and is a decent stash in all fantasy leagues. The struggling Cole Irvin is the most likely candidate to be bounced from Baltimore's rotation upon Means' return.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) gave up seven runs on six hits across a single inning of work during Sunday's rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk. Means gave up two homers while striking out two batters and walking one. It was not the start to the season that Means was hoping for, but the fact he did not suffer further injury is the most important thing. Assuming there are no more setbacks in his future rehab starts, Means could return to the Orioles by late April. He may have some streaming appeal in 2024, but he will surely be on an innings limit this season. Means has only tossed 31 2/3 innings at the big league level since 2022.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) and left-hander John Means (elbow) are both expected to pitch early in the first half of the 2024 season, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Bradish is recovering from a right UCL sprain, while Means has a left-elbow injury. There's no specific timetable for either pitcher to make their debut this year, and it's a good bet that both of them won't be ready to return until at least late April. Bradish, 27, is the more attractive fantasy arm after he had a mini breakout in 2023 by going 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 44 walks and 168 strikeouts in 168 2/3 innings covering 30 starts. Means, 30, had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and has made only six starts the last two seasons as a result.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow) said it's "probably unlikely" he'll be built up in time to be a part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation. Means is disappointed, but he's confident in his teammates to have early success in 2024. The O's will also be without Kyle Bradish (elbow) to start the year, as he's dealing with a sprained UCL. Means and the Orioles are still hoping he can make his season debut in April, though, but his exact timetable isn't very clear just yet. The 30-year-old had a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October and is roughly about a month behind the team's other starters. Means was an All-Star in 2019 but has made only six starts in the last two years and can be left to the waiver wire to begin 2024 in most mixed leagues.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow) is a month behind the other pitchers at the start of spring training and might not be ready for Opening Day this year. Unless Means makes some significant progress in the next couple of weeks, he seems destined to open the 2024 regular season on the injured list, joining fellow starter Kyle Bradish (elbow). The 30-year-old southpaw had a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October and is still working past it as camp begins. Means had Tommy John surgery in April of 2022 and has made only six starts in the last two years for the O's. He was an All-Star back in 2019, but given the fact that he's thrown only 31 2/3 innings in the big leagues since the start of 2022, Means is going to be on an innings limit this year whenever he gets going.

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that left-hander John Means' elbow checked out fine and he will be a full-go for the start of spring training next year. Means made his return from Tommy John in 2023 but managed to make only four starts for the Orioles in the regular season, going 1-2 with a 2.66 ERA (5.24 FIP), 0.72 WHIP, four walks and 10 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Baltimore chose to play it safe with the 30-year-old southpaw when he developed elbow soreness at the end of the season, and he was subsequently held off the roster for the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. With a full offseason to recover, Means should be good to go for the start of the 2024 regular season and could be in line for a bounce-back campaign if he can stay healthy.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow), who is dealing with elbow soreness, was not included on the roster for the American League Division Series. Manager Brandon Hyde said that he expects Means to be ready for the Championship Series if the team advances past the Texas Rangers in the ALDS. Means missed the vast majority of the 2023 campaign due to injury and didn't make his season debut for the O's until Sept. 12. In his four starts to close out the season, Means went 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA, four walks and 10 strikeouts in his 23 2/3 innings of work against the Cardinals, Astros, Guardians and Red Sox. The 30-year-old southpaw could be a valuable asset for Baltimore on the mound if they advance to the ALCS.

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.