Orioles ace John Means to return Tuesday at Rays

Baltimore Orioles ace John Means made history by throwing a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 5 but hasn't taken the bump for an MLB start since June 5 because of left shoulder soreness that prematurely ended an appearance against the Cleveland Indians.  

Per Joe Trezza of the MLB website, Means told reporters Monday that he will be good to go for Tuesday's matchup at the Tampa Bay Rays. 

"It hasn’t flared up at all, so I’m ready to go," Means explained. "I feel really good. I feel really comfortable right now in what I’m doing and what I need to accomplish, so I want to just keep doing what I did in the first half." 

A similar issue sidelined Means in 2019 and last summer, but imaging showed no structural damage last month. With the Orioles holding the American League's worst overall record of 30-62, there was no reason to rush the 28-year-old back. 

Manager Brandon Hyde suggested he will have Means on a pitch and innings count.

"I’m not going to push him in any sort of way these first couple of starts," Hyde remarked. "We’ll monitor traffic, the pressure pitches if there’s a lot of people on base, etc. I might cut his outings short a little bit. I’m not going to push him." 

Means successfully completed three minor league rehab outings leading up to his MLB return. The southpaw is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA in 12 starts this season.