John Means out 'a while' with left elbow strain

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles' John Means placed on IL, out 'a while' with left elbow strain

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/15/22

The Baltimore Orioles placed starting pitcher John Means on the 10-day injured list with a left elbow strain on Friday.

We have made the following roster moves:
-Placed LHP John Means on the 10-day Injured List (left elbow strain, retroactive to 4/14)
-LHP Kevin Smith cleared outright waivers and assigned to Triple-A Norfolk
-Selected the contract RHP Travis Lakins from Triple-A Norfolk
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) April 15, 2022

According to the Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Means would have further tests to determine any structural damage, but the 28-year-old starter would be out of action for "a while."

Means experienced tightness in his forearm during his start Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. He left the game as a precaution after throwing 84 pitches through four innings.

After the game, Means told MASN's Roch Kubatko that he felt tightness in his forearm when throwing curveballs in both of his starts this season.

Means said he felt it on curveball his first start and again tonight on same pitch. Wanted to stay out there. Said not a ton of concern. MRI as a precaution. 1st time he’s experienced this. #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 14, 2022

An 11th-round pick by the Orioles in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft, Means is in his fifth season with Baltimore.

In 2019, Means' first full season, he went 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.135 WHIP in 31 starts. Means earned an All-Star nod and finished as runner-up to Houston's Yordan Alvarez for Rookie of the Year honors.

Over 65 career starts, Means is 20-24 with a 3.81 ERA. and a 1.082 WHIP.

This season, Means has posted a 3.38 ERA in two starts. He's allowed three earned runs off eight hits, with a 65% strike rate over eight innings pitched.

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