John Means's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde says the team is discussing whether starting pitcher John Means' (forearm) next start will come in Triple-A Norfolk or for the major-league club. The O's don't have a starter scheduled for Sunday's series finale versus the visiting Oakland Athletics, so there's a chance Means makes his 2024 regular-season debut in that one. While the 31-year-old left-hander struggled mightily with a 13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP, and 14:6 K:BB over 11 2/3 innings (five starts) during his minor-league rehab assignment, a matchup at home against the lowly A's would certainly put him on the streaming radar right off the bat in fantasy leagues. Means is on the mend from a strained left forearm, but if he needs one last rehab appearance, veteran right-hander Albert Suarez has fired 11 1/3 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts in two starts for Baltimore and would get the ball on Sunday instead.

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 left-handerJohn Means (forearm) will start Saturday in his second rehab appearance for Triple-A Norfolk. After missing most of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Means is finally looking to be on track to begin being fantasy-relevant again. In 2023, he owned a 2.66 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings. We should expect Means to have at least one more rehab start as he continues to work his way back from a forearm strain he sustained in spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Means when he returns to be a great source of wins for a stacked Orioles team.

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.