Baltimore Orioles Provide Good Injury Update on Key Lefty Heading into 2024

After being eliminated from the American League Division Series, Baltimore Orioles' brass spoke to the media on Thursday, providing several updates on the organization heading into the offseason.

One of those updates was that top prospect Jackson Holliday will get a chance to make the team out of spring training, while another was that left-handed pitcher John Means is healthy and will be a full participant in spring training.

Per Steve Melewski of MASN:

During end of season presser Mike Elias said John Means has checked out fine and will be a full go for spring.

During end of season presser Mike Elias said John Means has checked out fine and will be a full go for spring.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) October 12, 2023

This is good news because there was some concern about Means and his elbow. He was left off the ALDS roster. Coming off a return from Tommy John surgery, that raised some eyebrows so it's certainly good to see that he'll make a return in 2024 with no anticipated issues.

He also figures to be a big part of the rotation plans for next year. Means was the ace of the O's staff during the lean years and possesses good stuff that can upgrade the rotation.

Most pundits thought that the weak spot for the Orioles this season was their rotation, so a healthy Means in 2024 could go a long way towards solidifying that.

Upon returning from injury in September, he went 1-2 in four starts. He tossed 23.2 innings and pitched to a 2.66 ERA.

Lifetime, he's 21-26 in his career with a 3.74 ERA. He has tossed a no-hitter before.

Baltimore won 101 games and the American League East crown.

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.