Baltimore Orioles On Verge of Getting Back Former Ace as Playoff Push Looms

The Baltimore Orioles are nearing a return of former ace John Means, who has been out for most of the last two years with injury.

As the Baltimore Orioles push for a playoff berth this season, they are getting close to getting back former ace John Means.

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Means (elbow) struck out four and allowed one run on two hits and no walks in his rehab start Sunday with Double-A Bowie.

ANALYSIS
Making his third rehab start with Bowie, Means turned in his best effort yet. He upped his innings count and pitch count (57, 38 strikes) and was highly efficient, with the lone run he permitted being a solo home run. The lefty will likely require one or two more outings in the minors to get fully stretched out for a starter's workload before getting the green light to come off the 60-day injured list. The impending return of Means -- who had been Baltimore's unquestioned ace from 2019 through 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery last April -- should provide a boost to the current American League East leaders.

It's unknown as to whether or not Means will pitch out of the rotation or in the bullpen when he returns, but he should help no matter what.

Through the lean years in Baltimore, Means was the ace of the staff, so getting him back could be a nice boost to either the rotation or the bullpen.

He won 12 games in an All-Star season in 2019, has thrown a no-hitter in his career and has 20 career victories. He owns a lifetime 3.81 ERA.

The Orioles will host the Blue Jays on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET.

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