Former Mountaineer John Means returns from Tommy John surgery

Former West Virginia University pitcher John Means has made a successful recovery from Tommy John surgery. Courtesy photo
SHEPHERDSTOWN — Former West Virginia University pitcher John Means has made a successful recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in April 2022.
Means was the Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher on Opening Day in 2022. He injured his throwing arm in that April game and never pitched again, during that ill-fated season.
He was still rehabilitating his arm when what has been a brilliant season for the Orioles started in April this year.
Finally, in mid-September, Means was brought back to the active roster and made his first start (and appearance) of the 2023 season.
Means made a meteoric type rise through the Oriole minor league system following his selection in the 11th round of the free agent draft in 2014.
In his only season with WVU, Means went 6-2 with a 3.13 ERA in 12 starts in the spring of 2014.
On April 9, 2019, Means made his first career start in a breakthrough season where he finished with 12-11 record and 3.60 ERA. He finished second in balloting for Rookie of the Year for a team that languished in last place in the American League East and lost over 100 games in the process.
Then, at age 26, the left-hander had been selected to the 2019 American League All-Star team.
Means authored a no-hitter in 2021 after being honored as the Orioles Opening Day starter that season.
Last season, the Orioles were adrift in the standings, finishing last again in their division.
But Means had been the Opening Day starter once more.
It wasn’t long after that Opening Day moment that he was placed on the 10-day injured list, and subsequently put on the 60-day injured list.
The Orioles have blossomed this season, already clinching a playoff spot after splitting a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Means has recently been activated for his first innings this season. He pitched five innings and gave up three earned runs in a loss. He recorded just one strikeout, but did not walk anybody in that long-awaited return from his surgery.
He is now 30 years old.
He had a second 2023 start this past Monday, as the Orioles do preparation work for the playoffs and try to configure their starting pitcher rotation for what will be a unique finish to any recent season for them.
The Orioles now have a winning combination of young players, comfortable depth and what has proven to be a quality bullpen.
Means is being evaluated as to his worth as a starter. His surgery probably means he won’t become a member of the bullpen.
At age 30, he just could be auditioning for other teams since Baltimore possibly might use him in a trade. Or if he proves durable enough, Means could be placed on the playoff roster and be used as a starter in the fast-approaching playoffs.
His availability is certainly another plus in Baltimore’s rise-from-the ashes 2023 season.