UTK Flash 10/7/23

John Means Out for ALDS

In a surprise move, the Orioles left John Means off the Division Series roster. There was no prior note that Means was having any issues, either with his elbow or shoulder, after returning late in the season. The expectation is he will be available for later series, but the injury is still a bit mysterious. Means was expected to start Game 3 next Tuesday, but there’s no clear indication who will replace him. Dean Kremer is scheduled for Game 4 and is most likely to shift up, but whether the O’s will go with a three or four man rotation for the series is unclear and will likely depend on the outcome of the first two games.

An Orioles source tells me the issue is minor and did not come up until well after Means’ near no-hitter took him deeper than expected, going 96 pitchers. Means threw a sim game during the Orioles work during their Wild Card lull. It was after that activity that the elbow simply didn’t recover, leaving Means with pain that was not muscular in nature.

Means had Tommy John surgery early in the 2022 season, but was delayed in his return by a significant upper back strain. He returned in September, making four starts, including the dazzler in Cleveland. He had no issues with the elbow or back during those and again, this appears to be an acute issue. Its relation to his Tommy John surgery is unknown, and small setbacks like this early in returns is not uncommon.