It should not be long before Cleveland Guardians fans see John Means make his long-anticipated season debut. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June last year when he was with the Baltimore Orioles and is currently on a minor league rehab assignment.
Means signed a one-year contract with Cleveland with a club option ahead of the season. It was a smart move by the club as they do not have a big commitment to him, meaning they could move on from him if they do not like what they see when he returns.
Even though he has not made his debut, rumors are starting to fly as we near the end of the regular season. MLB insider Jeff Passan recently came out with a preview of the upcoming free agency class, and in it, he does not believe Cleveland will pick up Means' option.
However, that is not set in stone. Cleveland could certainly take Means' option for next season if he can come out and perform better than some of their struggling pitchers at the moment.
John Means' career has been defined by injuries
One of John Means' biggest disadvantages has been his availability. He has had consistent shoulder and arm problems over the last few years, which have taken him out of plenty of games.
He first underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, only to have the surgery again in 2024. He joins a growing list of pitchers who have had two Tommy John surgeries in their careers.
It will be interesting to see how Means looks when he returns. Not only is he looking to make up for missed time, he is also pitching to stay in Cleveland for the 2026 season.