Means (elbow) has begun throwing off a mound, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means is attempting to come back from a second Tommy John surgery and could return late in the 2025 regular season. He'll continue his throwing progression but has not yet taken the mound for a bullpen session, and there's no timeline yet for the 32-year-old southpaw to begin a rehab assignment.

Means (elbow) is expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions at some point this month, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As of April 30, Means had been responding well since starting up his throwing program, and he had increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 120 feet. Assuming he's avoided any setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery over the ensuing two weeks, he could take the next step forward in the rehab process by getting back on the mound. Means still has multiple checkpoints to hit, but a late-season return from the 60-day injured list remains a possibility for the veteran lefty.

The Guardians transferred Means (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander is only about 10 months removed from undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery, so it was only a matter of time before he was moved to the 60-day IL. Means continues to ramp up his throwing program and isn't expected to be ready for game action until late in the season.

The Guardians placed Means (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The Guardians will hold off on sending Means to the 60-day IL for now, though he isn't expected to be ready for MLB action until the final month of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. If the left-hander runs into any snags during his throwing program, Cleveland may also opt to keep Means on the shelf until 2026.

Means (elbow) extended his throwing distance to 75-90 feet Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Means is still in the early stages of what will be a lengthy throwing program after undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery in June. He likely won't be close to pitching in games until the final month of the season, though there's a strong possibility the team holds off on deploying him until 2026.

Means (elbow) agreed Monday with the Guardians on a one-year, $1 million contract that includes a $7.5 million club option for 2026, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The two sides reportedly had made progress on a deal over the weekend and now they've crossed the finish line. Means underwent his second Tommy John surgery last June and could miss the entire 2025 season, so the Guardians are essentially making a roll of the dice on him for 2026. The left-hander has made just 10 starts at the major-league level since 2022 due to injuries but held a 3.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 134:26 K:BB over 146.2 frames covering 26 starts in 2021.

The Orioles transferred Means (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Levi Stoudt, who was claimed off waivers. Means is done for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last week.

Means underwent successful Tommy John surgery Monday in Texas to repair a torn UCL in his left elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means will need 12-to-18 months to recover from the procedure, and given that he previously had the procedure in April 2022, it's reasonable to expect him to trend toward the longer end of that timetable. The veteran southpaw has now seen three straight seasons come to an early end, as he was previously held out during the Orioles' playoff run last fall when he experienced renewed soreness in the surgically repaired elbow. Even though his elbow checked out fine over the offseason, the Orioles chose to slow play Means to begin the 2024 campaign, but it wasn't long before he experienced another flareup. Means made just four starts for the Orioles prior to landing on the 15-day injured list last Thursday with a forearm strain.

Orioles GM Mike Elias announced Friday that Means will undergo surgery to repair the UCL in his left elbow and will miss the rest of the season, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander headed for a second opinion after being diagnosed with a forearm strain last week, and he'll end up having a third straight injury-shortened campaign. It remains to be seen if Means will require Tommy John surgery -- which he also underwent in April 2022 -- or a lesser procedure, but his absence is likely to push into 2025 regardless. It's a rough day for the Orioles rotation, as Tyler Wells (elbow) will also require UCL surgery.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that Means will get a second opinion on his throwing elbow, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means threw just three innings in his start Wednesday against the Cardinals, and he did not return to the mound following the rain delay. He landed on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to a left forearm strain, which was the same injury that caused him to start the season on the IL. Seeing that Means is getting a second opinion on the injury, the 31-year-old southpaw could be on the IL beyond the 15-day minimum.