In a perfect world, John Means — the Orioles’ unexpected ace of the 2019-2021 seasons, and the most exciting pitcher on some miserable O’s staffs — would have been front and center in the Birds’ breakthrough into contention these last two years.
When the club began to turn the corner in 2022 and played meaningful games in September, their Opening Day starter should have headlined the rotation down the stretch. It didn’t work out that way. Means made just two starts that season, exiting his April 13 outing with an elbow injury that ultimately required Tommy John reconstructive surgery.