McKenna on Means: "It’s been a long time coming for him to come back and we’re all excited"

BOSTON – A locker was set up yesterday for pitcher John Means. With clothes and equipment. The real deal.

Means has made trips in the past and his locker remains in the same location at Camden Yards. But it felt different.

The left-hander joined the team in Boston after finishing his injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk. He hung out with teammates on Friday, got his locker yesterday and walked to the bullpen for a side session that could determine whether he pitches for the Orioles later this week.

And keeps pitching for them through the postseason.

The medical staff and pitching coaches will confer with Means today, before the flight to Baltimore. He’s expected to enter the rotation for the Cardinals series and make his return on Tuesday, but the Orioles need to check at least one more box before deciding.

They also can confirm that they’re going back to using six starters after moving Cole Irvin to the bullpen. His removal opened the spot for Means.

The 2023 debut start for Means will be his first game since April 13, 2022 against the Brewers at Camden Yards. Means allowed two runs in four innings, threw 51 pitches and was replaced by Joey Krehbiel, sending Orioles fans into a panic and the local media into rewrite mode.

Means retired the side in order on 12 pitches in the fourth, but Krehbiel began to warm. The official explanation was left forearm tightness, triggered by a curveball, a pitch that caused the same discomfort in his previous start.  

“It’s frustrating, for sure,” Means said afterward. “Wanted to get rolling and wanted to start the season strong. It’s a long season and we’ll get this out of the way, get going. Still confident I’m able to go.”

It didn’t last. And a pulled muscle in his upper back this summer delayed his return, which was supposed to happen in July or early August.

“It’s always great having Meansie back,” said outfielder Ryan McKenna. “He brings so much to the team on and off the field. Good leader and good example for a lot of guys. We’ve adapted as a team. Everybody’s having a good year. But he’s definitely one of those guys that sets a good example, and we’re looking forward to having him back on the field.

“His stuff is electric. He’s an All-Star. It’s been a long time coming for him to come back and we’re all excited.”

Means followed Kyle Gibson in side-session order yesterday. Clubhouse televisions were tuned to college football and baseball, but one served as a bullpen monitor. Teammates could watch Means if they desired.

“He was a cornerstone piece for us before he went down, and super excited to see him back and healthy,” said first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. “Excited to see him pitch, whenever that is. Just a great guy to have in the clubhouse.”

Means has time to convince the Orioles that he should be in their playoff rotation.

Kyle Bradish is pitching like a No. 1 starter, and Grayson Rodriguez, who’s on the mound this afternoon for the series finale, could be close behind. Dean Kremer is a 12-game winner with a 4.07 ERA, only one run allowed over his last three starts totaling 16 2/3 innings, and a 2.86 ERA in 10 second-half appearances.

The Orioles need a fourth. Should be a wild finish.

Is Means equipped to make an immediate impact?

“For sure, for sure, if he pitches like we know he can,” Mountcastle said.

“He’s a really good starting pitcher. He’s got really good stuff and commands the zone well. He’ll definitely be a really big asset for us.”

“Yeah, absolutely,” McKenna said.

“The John Means that we all know is more than capable of pitching in the postseason. I think we’ve done a good job of progressing him. The staff has taken care of him. He seems in really good spirits and he’s kept a good mindset throughout the whole recovery process, and I think he’s ready to go. It’s a tall ask to have somebody come into that role right away, but if anybody can do, it’s him.”