Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)

The importance of a rookie left-hander on the Orioles roster keeps growing. To the point where his absence feels like it could lead to a total collapse.

Not just a brick at a time. An implosion and a huge cloud of dust.

John Means is coming off the injured list today, making him available to start against the Indians as the Orioles keep searching for their 10th home win. His left shoulder strain wasn't serious, though it removed him briefly from the rotation.

Any signs of panic would be understandable.

Means was a shocking inclusion on the opening day roster, no one more surprised that him. Now he's irreplaceable.

There aren't many success stories in 2019 more interesting than this one.

The 2.67 ERA in 70 2/3 innings, the 2.8 WAR, the 28 RAR, the increased notion that he's becoming staff ace. And on a club that is severely challenged to fill out its rotation and can't withstand his absence.

If Andrew Cashner and Dylan Bundy are potential trade chips, especially the former because of his pending free agency and more effective outings, Means looks like he's untouchable.

Means has completed five innings in 11 of his 12 starts, going three in his first opportunity on April 9 while easing into the role. It could be classified as a modest achievement on better teams. The Orioles celebrate it. Anything that eases the strain on their bullpen.

The Indians tallied three runs off Means in five innings in his May 18 start in Cleveland. Jordan Luplow hit a two-run homer in the fourth, the game no longer was scoreless and the Orioles lost 4-1.

The injured list will continue to hold pitchers Josh Rogers, Josh Lucas, Alex Cobb and Nate Karns and outfielders Mark Trumbo and DJ Stewart.

Cobb is done for the year following hip surgery and Rogers likely will undergo reconstructive surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. Rogers could be transferred to the 60-day IL in order to create room on the 40-man roster.

Karns is trying to get back on the roster after going on the injured list retroactive to April 9 with a right forearm strain. He began a rehab assignment Tuesday in the Gulf Coast League and worked one-third of an inning as the starter, walking two batters and being charged with a run. He threw only one strike among nine pitches.

Stewart homered in the game, and he remains down in Florida while recovering from a sprained ankle. He's collected seven at-bats.

Karns hadn't pitched in exactly two months before taking the mound with the GCL team. He appeared in one game at Triple-A Norfolk and one at Double-A Bowie before the Orioles shut him down again.

The Orioles moved Karns to the 60-day IL on May 20. They got only four appearances out of him, two as the opener.

Karns was supposed to provide a veteran presence who could work as a starter or reliever and perhaps become a trade chip later in the summer. Dan Straily was supposed to provide a veteran presence who could eat innings in the rotation, protect the young arms who aren't going to be rushed and perhaps become a trade chip later in the summer.

The best-laid plans of mice and men, including those that reside in front offices, often go awry.

Straily accepted an outright assignment to Norfolk rather than forfeit the rest of his salary.

* You may recall when I reported that Tides outfielder Austin Hays came out of a June 19 game after only one at-bat "as a precaution," which happened after he tweaked his hamstring.

Hays is on the seven-day injured list. Nothing serious, but I'm sure it's an annoyance for a player who's fighting to stay healthy and get back to the majors.

The thumb has healed. The ankle is fine. Nothing wrong with his shoulder.

Wait on the hamstring and start again.

An extended stretch of good health and productive at-bats could lead Hays to center field with the Orioles. The audition continues for Keon Broxton, but he's batting .207/.244/.341 with 39 strikeouts in 87 plate appearances.

He does cover a lot of ground, making life easier for the players flanked on each side of him.

* You also may recall when I reported that the Orioles parted ways with Gulf Coast League pitching coach Wilson Alvarez a week before the first game. Who replaced him?

Adam Bleday moved from development coach at Single-A Frederick to GCL pitching coach, his first professional role after the Astros drafted him in 2017 out of the University of Pennsylvania.

Bleday is assisted by Dave Schmidt, the Orioles' Florida and Latin America pitching coordinator. Schmidt is based in Sarasota, and it's a convenient and logical arrangement.

* Norfolk left-hander Keegan Akin and infielder Ryan Mountcastle were chosen to the International League's All-Star Game, to be held July 10 in El Paso, Texas.

Akin, 24, is 3-2 with a 4.37 ERA in 15 games (14 starts). He's struck out 83 batters in 70 innings.

Mountcastle, 22, began yesterday batting .311/.332/.503 with 14 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 69 games.

Norfolk field coach Ramon Sambo will be part of the International League's staff.

The game will air on MLB Network at 9 p.m.