Orioles' John Means: Second career Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Means underwent successful Tommy John surgery Monday in Texas to repair a torn UCL in his left elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Means will need 12-to-18 months to recover from the procedure, and given that he previously had the procedure in April 2022, it's reasonable to expect him to trend toward the longer end of that timetable. The veteran southpaw has now seen three straight seasons come to an early end, as he was previously held out during the Orioles' playoff run last fall when he experienced renewed soreness in the surgically repaired elbow. Even though his elbow checked out fine over the offseason, the Orioles chose to slow play Means to begin the 2024 campaign, but it wasn't long before he experienced another flareup. Means made just four starts for the Orioles prior to landing on the 15-day injured list last Thursday with a forearm strain.
Orioles GM Mike Elias announced Friday that Means will undergo surgery to repair the UCL in his left elbow and will miss the rest of the season, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander headed for a second opinion after being diagnosed with a forearm strain last week, and he'll end up having a third straight injury-shortened campaign. It remains to be seen if Means will require Tommy John surgery -- which he also underwent in April 2022 -- or a lesser procedure, but his absence is likely to push into 2025 regardless. It's a rough day for the Orioles rotation, as Tyler Wells (elbow) will also require UCL surgery.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Means will get a second opinion on his throwing elbow, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Means threw just three innings in his start Wednesday against the Cardinals, and he did not return to the mound following a rain delay. He landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a left forearm strain, which was the same injury that caused him to start the season on the IL. Seeing that Means is getting a second opinion on the injury, the 31-year-old southpaw could be on the IL beyond the 15-day minimum.
Orioles' John Means: Heads to IL with strained forearm
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Means on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left forearm strain, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.
It's the same injury that forced Means to the IL prior to Opening Day. The left-hander experienced a flareup of the forearm issue during his latest start Wednesday in St. Louis. He'll be eligible to return from the IL in early June, but it's possible he'll need more time than the minimum 15 days given that it's a recurring injury. Cole Irvin is the likeliest candidate to slide into Means' spot in Baltimore's rotation.
