Baltimore Orioles Starter 'Probably Not' Appearing in Spring Training Games
The unfortunate thing about the preperation period that Spring Training offers is injuries tend to pop up, something the Baltimore Orioles are fully dealing with right now.
After addressing the biggest need in their starting rotation this offseason that firmly cemented themselves as a true contender, issues appeared for two of their pitchers expected to be featured heavily in 2024.
Kyle Bradish is the major one.
Dealing with a UCL injury in his throwing elbow, he's already been placed on the injured list and likely won't be ready for the start of the year.
John Means also is dealing with his own elbow issue in the process of recovering from Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss most of last season.
Earlier in camp, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters the left-hander wouldn't be available until April.
When asked for an update on the 30-year-old and if he might be available for action at any point during Spring Training, Hyde said, "Means, maybe, probably not."
Roch Kubatko of MASN also added nothing has changed in terms of what the plan seems to be for Means to start the year.
"... he is still expected to begin the regular season on the injured list," the insider writes.
Within that update, there is also some positive news.
Means said he's going start doing some live bullpen sessions soon and take next steps if everything goes well. He feels like he's getting close to returning.
The Orioles took him in the 11th round during the 2014 draft.
He earned his first All-Star selection in 2019 and finished runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting that same year.
When coming back from his Tommy John surgery last season, he was able to start four games where he posted an ERA of 2.66 across 23 2/3 innings pitched.
Means is expected to give a boost to Baltimore's rotation when he eventually hits the mound in 2024.
