Fantasy News

• Orioles' John Means: Stellar in 2024 debut

  Rotowire May 4, 2024

  Means (1-0) earned the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Reds, allowing three hits over seven scoreless innings. He struck out eight without issuing a walk. A setback with Means' surgically repaired left elbow put the southpaw on the injured list to begin the 2024 season. After an extended, six-start rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, Means transitioned beautifully to the big-league rotation, blanking the Reds in Great American Ball Park while racking up 19 swings and misses on 85 pitches. The Cincinnati offense has been in a bad way, but regardless it was an impressive return for Means and he's fully built up heading into his next projected matchup at home against the Diamondbacks. An All-Star in 2019, Means has thrown a no-hitter in the majors and owns a 3.67 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 387.1 career innings over parts of seven seasons.

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• Orioles' John Means: Slated for season debut Saturday

  Rotowire May 2, 2024

  Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Means (elbow) will make his first start of the season Saturday in Cincinnati, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. Means was activated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and now the Orioles have revealed the date for the left-hander's 2024 big-league debut. While Means pitched poorly for most of his rehab assignment, he was excellent in his final outing with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit and one walk. The southpaw got his pitch count up to 95 in that start, so he shouldn't have any workload concerns Saturday.

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• Orioles' John Means: Returns from IL

  Rotowire May 1, 2024

  The Orioles reinstated Means (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. Though manager Brandon Hyde had already noted Monday that Means was on track to rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series in Cincinnati, the Orioles activated him early since the southpaw's 30-day minor-league rehab window officially came to an end. The Orioles placed Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move, so Means' arrival means that the team should have room in the rotation for at least one of Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin, or even both pitchers if Hyde elects to go with a six-man rotation. Means struggled mightily through the first five starts of his rehab stint with Triple-A Norfolk (13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP in 11.2 innings), but he closed his minor-league assignment in dominant fashion Sunday, striking out eight over seven shutout innings and allowing just one hit and one walk. He tossed 95 pitches (61 strikes) in the outing and is unlikely to face any major restrictions when he makes his 2024 Orioles debut, likely Friday or Saturday.

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• Orioles' John Means: Slated for season debut this week

  Rotowire Apr 29, 2024

  Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed Monday that Means (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list later this week and will rejoin the rotation, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports. Hyde didn't divulge which day Means will pitch, but he would be on regular rest for Friday's series opener in Cincinnati. Means saved his best rehab start for last, as he struck out eight while allowing just one hit and one walk over seven scoreless innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. The left-hander got his pitch count up to 95 in the outing, so he should be ready for a typical workload in his first start with the Orioles. With both Means and Kyle Bradish (elbow) set to return from the IL this week, Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin would appear most at risk of losing out on starting roles if the Orioles elect to maintain a five-man rotation.

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• Orioles' John Means: Getting another rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 26, 2024

  Means (forearm) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. The Orioles previously hadn't ruled out the possibility that Means' next start could come in the majors, but ultimately they've decided to give him at least one more tune-up. It's not a surprise, as the southpaw has really struggled on his rehab assignment to this point, collecting a 13.89 ERA, 2.41 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 11.2 innings. Means did get his pitch count up to 79 in his last outing, so he should be fully built up after Sunday's start. He could make his season debut with the Orioles as soon as May 3 in Cincinnati.

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• Orioles' John Means: Builds up to 79 pitches

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2024

  Means (forearm) struck out five and allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in a rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Norfolk. Means built up to 79 pitches in the rehab start, his fifth overall with Norfolk. The 31-year-old lefty hasn't performed as well as the Orioles had hoped during the rehab assignment -- he holds a 13.89 ERA, 2.41 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 11.2 innings -- but with Wednesday's outing arguably being Means' best yet, he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list soon. According to Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, the Orioles haven't ruled out the possibility of Means returning from the IL to start Sunday versus the Athletics, though the club may prefer to have the red-hot Albert Suarez (11.1 scoreless innings through two starts) make another turn through the rotation.

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• Orioles' John Means: Making another rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Means (forearm) will make another rehab start during the upcoming week, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports. Means made the third start of his rehab assignment this past Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out three over three innings while allowing two runs on two hits and two walks. The lefty tossed 61 pitches (35 strikes) in the start, so he may need only one or two more outings in the minors before getting cleared to return from the 15-day injured list. Once activated, Means will most likely join the rotation as a replacement for Cole Irvin, as the two southpaws' pitching schedules are currently aligned.

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• Orioles' John Means: Making second rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Means (forearm) will get the start for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday against Charlotte, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports. Means struggled in his first rehab start Monday, giving up seven runs on six hits and a walk over just one inning. He'll look to have a bounce-back performance Saturday as he works through a left forearm strain that flared up at the start of spring training.

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• Orioles' John Means: Struggles in rehab start

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Means (forearm) was roughed up for seven runs over one-plus inning Sunday in his first rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk. Means surrendered a pair of home runs among six hits and walked one batter. He threw 32 pitches, induced three whiffs and averaged 90.8 mph on his four-seamer, which was 0.9 mph lower than a season ago. Clearly, it's not the kind of performance Means was looking for as a ramps up for a return to the Orioles' rotation, but it will become worrisome only if it continues in subsequent rehab outings. He'll need a handful of rehab starts before returning potentially in late April.

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• Orioles' John Means: Starting rehab assignment Sunday

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Means (forearm) will begin his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk. Means didn't pitch in spring training, so he'll continue ramping up in the minors. He had a flare-up with his surgically repaired left elbow in October, putting him behind in the spring. Means is likely to need just about all of his 30-day rehab window to get up to speed, so his major-league season debut should be expected in mid-to-late April if he avoids setbacks.

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• Orioles' John Means: Opens season on IL

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2024

  The Orioles placed Means on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left forearm strain. Means will be eased along slowly into the season after he experienced a flareup in his surgically repaired left elbow back in October. According to MLB.com, Means was about a month behind the Orioles' healthy pitchers in his throwing progression when he reported to spring training Feb. 14, so he only recently reached the point in his ramp-up program where he's able to face hitters. Means is expected to report to Triple-A Norfolk in the near future for a rehab assignment and is likely to make multiple starts on the farm before the Orioles are comfortable bringing him back from the IL.

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• Orioles' John Means: Set for rehab assignment

  Rotowire Mar 26, 2024

  Means (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk soon, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports. Means is set to make several rehab starts with Triple-A Norfolk before he's considered for activation. The left-hander experienced a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October, and Orioles general manager Mike Elias said he expects Means to be ready for his season debut at some point in the first half of the season. For his part, Means has expressed a desire to be ready to pitch in major-league games before the end of April, but how his minor-league starts go will ultimately determine whether that timeline is realistic.

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• Orioles' John Means: Throws bullpen session

  Rotowire Mar 13, 2024

  Means (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. Means is continuing his throwing progression as the club slow-plays him after he had some left elbow soreness last October. The left-hander will not pitch in Grapefruit League games but is hopeful of rejoining Baltimore's rotation before the end of April.

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• Orioles' John Means: Season debut projected for April

  Rotowire Feb 16, 2024

  Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that the team's tentative plans have Means (elbow) making his season debut in April, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. When exactly in April the left-hander is expected back isn't clear, but at least there's now a timeline on record. Means experienced a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October, and he remains about a month behind the team's other starters to begin camp. With Means and Kyle Bradish (elbow) slated for stints on the injured list to begin the season, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin have the inside tracks on spots in Baltimore's rotation.

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• Orioles' John Means: IL stint expected

  Rotowire Feb 16, 2024

  Means (elbow) conceded Friday that it's unlikely he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Thursday that Means is one month behind schedule as he rebounds from a left elbow flare-up last October. While it seems as though he's recovered from the elbow issue, Means still needs time to build back up. He'll join Kyle Bradish (elbow) on the IL, creating a pair of early-season vacancies in the O's rotation.

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• Orioles' John Means: Injured list stint possible

  Rotowire Feb 15, 2024

  Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means (elbow) is a month behind schedule, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports. Means suffered a flare-up with his surgically-repaired left elbow last October. While previous indications had been that the southpaw was past the issue, clearly the team still plans to proceed cautiously with him in spring training. Elias was not ready to commit to a stint on the injured list for Means, but it's difficult to see him avoiding one if he's a month behind other Orioles starters.

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• Orioles' John Means: Settles with Orioles

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2024

  The Orioles and Means avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.325 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. Means missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, but he'll still receive a little salary bump in his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. The veteran left-hander will enter his walk year with a clean bill of health.

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• Orioles' John Means: Healthy heading into offseason

  Rotowire Oct 12, 2023

  Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means' left elbow checked out fine and the pitcher will participate fully in spring training, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports. Means was excluded from the team's ALDS roster because of elbow soreness, which initially raised a red flag considering this was his first year back from Tommy John surgery. However, the left-hander was expected to be ready for the ALCS had the Orioles advanced, so there never appeared to be much internal concern about the setback. Means posted a 2.66 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 23.2 innings in 2023 after rejoining Baltimore's rotation late in the season.

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• Orioles' John Means: Held off ALDS roster

  Rotowire Oct 7, 2023

  Means won't pitch during Baltimore's ALDS matchup against the Rangers due to elbow soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports. Means' elbow didn't recover properly after throwing a sim game earlier in the week, so he'll sacrifice his spot on the Orioles' playoff roster as he takes a few extra days to heal. Should Baltimore advance to the ALCS, Means is expected to be available.

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• Orioles' John Means: Quality start in loss

  Rotowire Sep 30, 2023

  Means (1-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks over 6.1 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out four. Means picked up his second straight quality start after firing 7.1 one-run innings against Cleveland on Sept. 23. The only blemish on the 30-year-old lefty's outing Friday was a two-run homer by Trevor Story in the fifth inning. Means wraps up his return from Tommy John surgery this season having posted an impressive 2.66 ERA and 0.72 WHIP over 23.2 innings with a 10:4 K:BB.

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