Means named Orioles' opening day starter

The anticipated became official this afternoon.

The Orioles are starting left-hander John Means on opening day against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Means has been expected to take the ball on April 1, but manager Brandon Hyde waited until today to announce it.

If at first you don't succeed ...

Means was supposed to start the 2020 opener in Boston, but had to work through some shoulder fatigue. Veteran Tommy Milone was named the surprise starter.

Hyde gave Means the news a couple of days ago.

"The story's been well-documented, but he's somebody that was an organizational-type player and worked his way all the way through the minor leagues and got a big league opportunity a couple years ago, my first year here," Hyde said in today's Zoom call.

"Having a special year that year, being an All-Star, really solidifying himself as a really good starter in our league and in our tough division. And then bouncing back last year from dealing with a lot of adversity on the field and off the field to finish the season strong and having a really good spring training this year. He's very well-liked in our clubhouse for a lot of reasons and a big part of our club, so it was a good feeling to let him know that he's going to start."

Means is the sixth different opening day starter in the last six years. Chris Tillman in 2016 was followed by Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner and Milone.

Cashner replaced an injured Alex Cobb and Milone was used in Means' spot.

Means held the Braves to one run and two hits in four innings Wednesday night, with no walks and four strikeouts. He's allowed two runs and four hits with eight strikeouts in his last two appearances covering eight innings.

"His last start against Atlanta, I thought he threw the ball very, very well," Hyde said. "Made one bad pitch, but the velo was up with the command being there also, and he's really turning into a true starter with a four-pitch mix now. The curveball he was getting some swings and misses on, he's got a slider, the changeup was something he struggled finding last year, kind of found it late. He's been throwing it well this year, and he's been locating his fastball. Those are the ingredients for John and he's been doing that."

Starting every fifth day lands Means on the mound April 1. The Orioles had him lined up for a while.

"I can't really pinpoint the exact first time that I caught him," said Chance Sisco, "but those few years in the minor leagues that I did catch him, you could always tell that he had good stuff, but a couple years ago he took that leap. The velo obviously jumped, which made such a huge difference from his fastball and his changeup that that's kind of taken him to that next step and he's obviously grown on that and become a really, really good pitcher obviously in this league.

"He's continually trying to build and make his stuff better and he's doing that."

The 2020 season closed with Means on a major roll. Over his last four starts, he went 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA - four earned runs in 23 2/3 innings - with three walks, 30 strikeouts and a .146 average against. He allowed one run in each of his last four starts.

In his first six starts, Means was 0-3 with a 8.10 ERA and opponents batted .293 against him.

The injury earlier in the summer wasn't the biggest blow to Means. His father, Alan, passed away in August after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer and he spent the rest of the season working through his grief while also establishing himself as the staff ace and worthy of the April 1 assignment.

"He was supposed to be our starter when we started the season back up, so he told me that he's going to make it this time. We're keep our fingers crossed, obviously," Hyde said.

"He was very happy to hear the news from me and that's always a special moment as a manager to give great news to players. It's something that guys hold dear. To be able to make it as opening day starter is something he can say that he did for the rest of his life, so proud moment for him. And everything he dealt with last year, he is a high-character guy and we felt for him and he's definitely earned it."

Means made his major league debut at Fenway Park in Game 1 of a Sept. 26, 2018 doubleheader, allowing five runs in 3 1/3 relief innings. He's 3-2 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.165 WHIP in seven career games (six starts) against the Red Sox totaling 34 1/3 innings.

Xander Bogaerts is 6-for-14 with a double and two home runs against him.

The Red Sox are starting former Orioles minor leaguer Eduardo Rodriguez. They've used seven different starters in the last eight seasons, with Chris Sale (2018-19) the only duplication.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched on opening day last summer.

Means has been on schedule to make the start, but Hyde was asked if other rotation candidates are undergoing adjustments due to the off-day.

"They'll be on the same schedule as of right now, but a lot of things can still change how we see our rotation going into that first series. Things can still change," Hyde said.

Notes: Hyde said Félix Hernández feels a little better today, but won't make his next start on turn due to elbow soreness. Could be a bullpen game.

"We're still monitoring him, still day-to-day with him, but he is feeling better today," Hyde said.

Matt Harvey starts Saturday night against the Yankees in Sarasota.

Hyde said Harvey and Wade LeBlanc could be starters or relievers. Same as the first day of camp.

Bruce Zimmermann threw five innings today against the Pirates in a B game. Richie Martin played shortstop and swung the bat "very, very well," Hyde said. Martin could be in lineup this weekend.

The travel roster today includes pitchers Isaac Mattson and Jay Flaa, catcher Brett Cumberland, infielders Gunnar Henderson, Tyler Nevin and Mason McCoy, and outfielder Ryan McKenna.

Maikel Franco worked out during yesterday's off-day. Everyone else was excused from camp.

The Orioles are playing an intrasquad game Saturday to provide more innings and at-bats. Lots of the Twin Lakes players will be at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Alexander Wells remains in his throwing program at Twin Lakes while recovering from an oblique injury. "He is ramping up," Hyde said.