SP - Kansas City Royals MiLB
- Age 32
- West Virginia
- Bats: L
- Throws: L
2026 Outlook
- Draft Rank (ECR)
- P #371
- Best / Worst
- #305 / #314
- ADP
- #800
Eligibility
- Yahoo
- SP
- ESPN
- SP
- CBS
- SP
Availability
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.
John Means is scheduled to make his seventh rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Friday.
Fantasy Impact
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that Means was "feeling good physically" after his rehab start on Sunday. He has posted a 6.33 ERA and 1.41 WHIP across 21.1 innings during his assignment.
John Means is scheduled to make his next rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Sunday.
Fantasy Impact
Means threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday and is scheduled to make his sixth rehab start on Sunday. He has a 4.58 ERA and 1.19 WHIP across 17.2 innings in his rehab starts so far, and he threw 72 pitches in his most recent outing. He remains on track to return this season.
