Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) struggled in his latest rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. Means lasted 3 2/3 innings and yielded six runs on five hits, including two homers, and four walks. The 32-year-old did throw 82 pitches, his most in any of his six rehab starts, but has managed a brutal 9.60 ERA with 11:10 K:BB in four appearances and 15 innings with Columbus. It's unclear if the Guardians plan to activate Means from the 60-day injured list before the season ends. If he does get into a game this year, it'll be the first time since May 2024 for the former Baltimore Oriole. Means underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024, and he settled for a one-year, $1 million guarantee with the Guardians in free agency last offseason. The Guardians will have to decide during the upcoming offseason whether to pick up Means' $6 million club option for 2026.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) didn't fare too well in his fifth minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Columbus, giving up five earned runs on six hits while waking two and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings of work. He threw 46 of his 72 pitches for strikes in the outing. Means had his fifth rehab start pushed back from Friday to Sunday because of an illness, and perhaps he still wasn't feeling all that great. The good news is that the 32-year-old southpaw was extended out to 72 pitches. However, it's expected that he'll need at least one more rehab start before the Guardians consider activating him for what will be his 2025 debut in the big leagues. Given the time of year, fantasy managers will not be able to consider Means a realistic option when he makes his debut with Cleveland, and he won't even be guaranteed a starting role.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, followed by a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus on Friday, MLB.com reports. Friday's outing will be the fifth rehab start for Means, who threw four innings and 58 pitches in his previous outing on Sunday. His pitch count will bump up to 75 on Friday, after which the left-hander could rejoin Cleveland's rotation. At this time, it's unclear how Means will fit into the rotation for the Guardians, but based on his 73 career starts and 3.68 career ERA, it's fair to think he will get a spot in the rotation. Means is recovering from a left elbow UCL injury and has not been healthy since 2021, throwing only 52 1/3 innings over the past three seasons. With the Guardians currently four games back in the AL Wild Card Race, any help they can get will be accepted. Regarding fantasy value, Means is not a recommended add at this time due to his uncertainty and time missed over the last three seasons.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) made his fourth minor-league rehab start on Sunday and pitched well for Triple-A Columbus. Means tossed four innings of two-hit ball, allowed one unearned run, and recorded four strikeouts against two walks on 58 pitches (37 strikes). The former Baltimore Oriole hasn't gone past 61 pitches in any of his rehab outings, so he'll likely need at least one more start in the minors before potentially joining the Guardians' rotation. The 32-year-old last pitched in the majors on May 22, 2024, and underwent Tommy John surgery that June.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means wasn't very sharp in his latest minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Columbus, as he allowed four earned runs on three hits (all homers) while walking two and striking out two in three innings of work in a loss to Triple-A Louisville. It was his first start at the Triple-A level after his first two rehab starts came at High-A. The 32-year-old southpaw got his pitch count up to 61 in the outing, and he's likely to need one or two more minor-league tune-ups before the Guardians consider activating him for his 2025 debut. Means, who was an All-Star in 2019 and finished as the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year, has made only 10 starts at the major-league level since the start of the 2022 season. There's no guarantee he'll return to a starting role in Cleveland, either, so he should remain on the waiver wire in mixed leagues.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Columbus, according to MLB.com. In his second rehab outing with High-A Lake County on Aug. 20, Means tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings and got up to 51 pitches last Wednesday. He has been on the injured list all year after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in June of 2024. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw is working his way back, though, and is expected to be available to pitch for the Guardians at some point in September, barring a setback. If Means looks good in his third rehab outing on Tuesday, it's possible he'll be in line to come off the 60-day injured list after that. Because of his long layoff and unclear role in Cleveland when he's cleared to return, fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can continue to ignore him.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) was solid in his first rehab outing as he works his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery. Starting for High-A Lake County, Means threw 38 pitches over 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out three. Given that Means has not pitched in a major league game in over a year, he will surely be making several more rehab starts. He may be a rotation or bulk relief option for Cleveland in September, but Means is unlikely to factor in fantasy until 2026. Injuries have limited Means to just 10 starts since the start of the 2022 season, but he's been a very effective pitcher (career 1.05 WHIP) when healthy.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start for High-A Lake County on Friday and will throw three innings, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. It's a big step for Means, who will be pitching in his first game since having a second Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. The 32-year-old southpaw is going to probably need a handful of starts in the minors, but if he can avoid a setback, it's possible that he could be a starting-rotation option for the Guards in September as they look to get into the postseason. For fantasy purposes, managers shouldn't be expecting Means to make any kind of impact. Means made his only All-Star squad in his second year in the big leagues with Baltimore in 2019 and has yet to do much since. He has started only 10 games in the big leagues since the start of 2022 due to injuries.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) was able to use his full repertoire during an 18-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, according to the team. Means is slowly building back up as he rehabs from the elbow surgery he underwent in June 2024 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. The owner of a lifetime 3.68 ERA over 401 innings and 78 appearances (73 starts), Means hit free agency last winter and joined the Guardians on a one-year, $1 million guarantee. The deal also includes a $6 million club option for 2026, so the Guardians will want to see Means in game action before deciding whether to pick it up. The Guardians expect the 32-year-old to debut in September if he avoids setbacks.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher John Means (elbow) threw two innings in a bridge game at the team's Arizona complex, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Stebbins writes that the next step for Means in his recovery from Tommy John Surgery could be a rehab assignment with one of Cleveland's minor league affiliates. The 32-year-old lefty has thrown just 52 1/3 innings since the start of 2022 due to two separate Tommy John surgeries. In 401 career big-league innings (73 starts), Means is 23-26 with a 3.68 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 334 strikeouts. It appears there's a chance he could make his return very late in the 2025 season, but he's more likely to be fantasy-relevant in 2026.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) has been throwing live batting practice and "feeling really good," according to manager Stephen Vogt. He remains on track to pitch later this season after undergoing his second UCL surgery in June 2024 while with the Baltimore Orioles. The Guardians signed Means to a one-year, $1 million contract with a $6 million option for 2026 last winter. Ideally, they'll get a look at Means in game action before deciding whether to pick up the option. Means is a former All-Star who has pitched to a solid 3.68 ERA in 401 innings, but injuries have limited him to 10 starts and 52 1/3 frames since 2022.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice, per MLB.com. According to president Chris Antonetti, Means' timetable for a return in 2025 is in the late-August to early-September range. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw began throwing off a mound in late June as he attempts to return from a second Tommy John surgery. The former 11th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 out of West Virginia made his lone All-Star team in his second year in the big leagues in 2019, but he has only made 25-plus starts in the majors twice in his seven years in the league. Since 2022, Means has managed to make only 10 starts, although he did have a nice 2.75 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings. Given the fact that Means may not make his big-league return until late this season, fantasy managers can continue to ignore him in most formats.

The Cleveland Guardians have placed pitcher John Means (elbow) on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Mar. 24. Means is unlikely to rejoin the team until late in the year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in June. It was the second Tommy John surgery the 31-year-old required on his left elbow. He's proved a capable pitcher before, compiling a 3.62 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 146.2 innings in 2021, and held a strong 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched before hurting his elbow in 2024. There's still a chance Means won't pitch in 2025. He can be left on waivers for the time being. Even if Means hits no snags in his recovery process, he may not be a factor on the field until September.

The Cleveland Guardians agreed with free-agent left-hander John Means (elbow) on a one-year deal worth $1 million guaranteed on Monday, a source told ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. The deal includes a club option for the 2026 season that is worth up to $7.5 million with no buyout. Means is recovering from the second Tommy John surgery of his career on his left elbow and isn't expected to make his debut with Cleveland until sometime in August, which makes him avoidable in most 2025 fantasy leagues. Depending on how the 31-year-old southpaw's recovery goes this year, there's a chance he doesn't pitch at all in 2025. He has made only 10 starts in the big leagues since the 2022 season due to injuries, although he was an All-Star in 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles and finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting that season.

According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, free-agent starting pitcher John Means (elbow) is in advanced talks with the Cleveland Guardians. Means underwent his second Tommy John surgery last June and is not expected to return to the mound early in the 2025 campaign. Before the surgery, he logged 20 2/3 innings with the Baltimore Orioles. During this small stint, he posted a 2.61 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. Following the 2021 campaign, Means has logged just 52 1/3 innings in the major leagues. However, in 2021, the southpaw held a solid 3.62 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP across 146 2/3 innings of work. He tallied 134 punchouts and served up just 30 free passes. If Means were to finalize a deal with Cleveland, fantasy managers could expect him to push for a late-season return. However, given his unknown timetable, he should not be targeted in any fantasy formats.

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports, free-agent pitcher John Means (elbow) is not expected to sign a contract for the 2025 season anytime soon. The left-hander underwent his second Tommy John surgery last June, and according to Kubatko, the industry perception is that Means will not find a suitor until much later in the offseason. Kubatko noted that the Orioles have not closed the door on a potential reunion. Last summer, the southpaw logged just 20 2/3 innings before being shut down. However, he was quite productive, posting a 2.61 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. He struck out 16 batters but showed elite command with a near-perfect 2.6% walk rate. In 2023, Means also logged just 23 frames and held a similar 2.66 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress, but he will likely not return to the mound until late in the 2025 season.

A day after landing left-hander Garrett Crochet, the Boston Red Sox are apparently still looking for pitching. They've been linked to the Mariners with intentions of acquiring one of their rotation pieces, presumably right-hander Luis Castillo, but have also reportedly been in talks with former Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow). The 31-year-old was an All-Star in 2019 and was second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting that season. However, it has been a challenge for him to stay healthy in recent years. From 2022 through 2024, the lefty has pitched a total of 52 1/3 innings after two Tommy John surgeries derailed those campaigns. Means had the second surgery in June 2024, so the southpaw likely won't be available until the second half of the 2025 season. Whenever he does make it back, with a career K/9 of just 7.5, he'd likely only help in other areas like ERA and WHIP for fantasy managers.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow) underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career on Monday, and his second such operation in two years. The recovery timeline is 12 to 18 months, meaning that Means will miss the rest of this season and at least half of 2025. The 31-year-old southpaw is set to be a free agent after the 2024 campaign, so it's a really bad time for him to have another elbow reconstruction. His first Tommy John surgery came in April of 2022. Given the lengthy rehab he has in front of him, Means is likely to remain on the free-agent market for a while before interested teams take a chance on him for 2025 and beyond. Means was a first-time All-Star back in 2019, but the elbow injuries continue to mount and he's made just 10 starts for Baltimore since the start of the 2022 season.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander John Means (elbow) will miss the rest of the season, according to general manager Mike Elias. Means is set to undergo left-elbow surgery, but Elias said it's not yet known whether he'll have Tommy John surgery. That won't be known until Means goes in for his season-ending procedure. The 31-year-old had been seeking a second opinion after landing on the 15-day injured list last Thursday with a left-forearm strain. It's the same injury that caused him to get a late start to the 2024 season. Means has already had Tommy John surgery once in his career, but this time around he could have an internal-brace procedure. Either way, the veteran southpaw is going to miss the rest of this year and most likely half of the 2025 campaign. Fantasy managers that had been stashing him can cut bait in redraft leagues.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (forearm) will be seeking a second opinion on his throwing elbow according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. On Thursday the Orioles placed Means on the 15-day injured list with a forearm strain, the same strain that caused him to miss the beginning of the season. Given that the forearm injury is now causing concern for his throwing elbow, it's not a great sign for the lefty. Means could likely stay on the injured list for much longer than 15 days if the second opinion delivers similar news as the first opinion. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Means to be active any time in the near future.