John Means

John Means allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Fantasy Impact

Means is working his way back from offseason surgery after rupturing his Achilles last December. He should be ready for spring training next year.

John Means will make a rehab start with High-A Quad Cities on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

Means suffered a ruptured Achilles in the offseason. He will miss all of this season, but he should be good to go by next year.

John Means has signed a two-year minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. The lefthander is expected to miss all of 2026 recovering from a ruptured Achilles injury.

Fantasy Impact

Means, who will turn 33 in April, showed great promise from 2019-21 with the Orioles as he pitched to a 3.73 ERA in 345.1 innings. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting and was an All-Star in 2019 and then threw a no-hitter in 2021 against the Mariners. But, injuries have derailed his career as he combined for just 10 big league starts from 2022-24, and only made seven appearances in the minors last season. Means suffered an Achilles injury this offseason and will miss all of 2026, so the Royals will hope that he can contribute in 2027.

Free agent starter John Means announced that he suffered a ruptured Achilles earlier this week.

Fantasy Impact

Means underwent surgery this week. He will likely miss most of next season. He did not pitch last year as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. It is another tough blow for the veteran starter.

John Means (elbow) is officially a free agent after the Cleveland Guardians declined his 2026 club option on Thursday. Means has not pitched in the majors since May 22, 2024, as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Fantasy Impact

The left-hander made seven total rehab appearances during the final six weeks of the 2025 campaign. He is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, where he will look to land a spot with a new organization.