Means set for first rehab start on Thursday since Tommy John

BALTIMORE -- For the first time in nearly 16 months, John Means will step on a mound to pitch in game action later this week.

The Orioles left-hander is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Bowie on Thursday night, when the Baysox will play a road matchup at Richmond. Means underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022, after he made only two starts for Baltimore early last season.

A former All-Star, Means was arguably the best pitcher on the O’s staff while the team struggled from 2019-21. He pitched to a 3.73 ERA in 67 games (63 starts) over that span, and he was expected to be a leader for a young rotation in ‘22.

The 30-year-old Means has been rehabbing all year, but he experienced a setback in late May, when he sustained a strain to his left teres major (a muscle in the scapula/upper back region). That pushed back the timeline for Means’ return, which was originally expected to come in either July or August.

Now that Means is heading to the Minors for a rehab assignment, it’s quite possible he’ll be joining the Orioles early next month, potentially shortly after MLB rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1. General manager Mike Elias recently called early September a marker “one to keep an eye out for” regarding Means.

However, it isn’t exactly clear where Means will fit onto Baltimore’s roster. He’s been a starter for the majority of his career, but the Orioles don’t have any open spots in their rotation. There’s also a chance Means won’t be fully built up to start, as he’ll likely have a slow ramp-up following his extended absence.

Maybe Means could be used as a reliever by the O’s amid their push for their first postseason berth since 2016.

“Obviously, he’s a starting pitcher from a career standpoint and a skill-set standpoint, but the circumstances of the team -- and him, in particular -- will drive that decision,” Elias said in late July.

While rehabbing this summer, Means has frequently been with the Orioles, and he has had a locker in the clubhouse at Camden Yards all season. Prior to Tuesday’s series opener vs. the Astros in Baltimore, Means was among the pitchers participating in pregame fielding practice.

So it may not be too much longer until Means is rejoining his teammates in big league games. He’ll move one major step closer on Thursday.