Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday that the team's tentative plans have Means (elbow) making his season debut in April, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

When exactly in April the left-hander is expected back isn't clear, but at least there's now a timeline on record. Means experienced a setback with his surgically repaired left elbow last October, and he remains about a month behind the team's other starters to begin camp. With Means and Kyle Bradish (elbow) slated for stints on the injured list to begin the season, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin have the inside tracks on spots in Baltimore's rotation.

Means (elbow) conceded Friday that it's unlikely he will be ready in time for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Orioles general manager Mike Elias revealed Thursday that Means is one month behind schedule as he rebounds from a left elbow flare-up last October. While it seems as though he's recovered from the elbow issue, Means still needs time to build back up. He'll join Kyle Bradish (elbow) on the IL, creating a pair of early-season vacancies in the O's rotation.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means (elbow) is a month behind schedule, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means suffered a flare-up with his surgically-repaired left elbow last October. While previous indications had been that the southpaw was past the issue, clearly the team still plans to proceed cautiously with him in spring training. Elias was not ready to commit to a stint on the injured list for Means, but it's difficult to see him avoiding one if he's a month behind other Orioles starters.

The Orioles and Means avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3.325 million contract Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a back injury, but he'll still receive a little salary bump in his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. The veteran left-hander will enter his walk year with a clean bill of health.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Means' left elbow checked out fine and the pitcher will participate fully in spring training, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means was excluded from the team's ALDS roster because of elbow soreness, which initially raised a red flag considering this was his first year back from Tommy John surgery. However, the left-hander was expected to be ready for the ALCS had the Orioles advanced, so there never appeared to be much internal concern about the setback. Means posted a 2.66 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 23.2 innings in 2023 after rejoining Baltimore's rotation late in the season.

Means won't pitch during Baltimore's ALDS matchup against the Rangers due to elbow soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Means' elbow didn't recover properly after throwing a sim game earlier in the week, so he'll sacrifice his spot on the Orioles' playoff roster as he takes a few extra days to heal. Should Baltimore advance to the ALCS, Means is expected to be available.

Means (1-2) took the loss Friday, allowing two runs on three hits and no walks over 6.1 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Means picked up his second straight quality start Friday night after firing 7.1 innings while allowing one run against Cleveland on Sept. 23. The only blemish on the 30-year-old lefty's outing was a two-run homer given up to Trevor Story in the fifth inning. Means wraps his return from Tommy John surgery this season with an impressive 2.66 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 10:4 K:BB over 23.2 innings.

Means (1-1) earned the win over Cleveland on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out four batters over 7.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Means was outstanding Saturday, holding the Guardians hitless until Andres Gimenez tagged him for a solo homer with two outs in the seventh. The left-handed hurler otherwise put just two runners on base (on a walk and a hit-by-pitch), needing just 96 pitches to cover 7.1 frames. This was Means' third start after spending the majority of the season on the injured list. He's been good since his return, posting a 2.60 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB over 17.1 innings. Means appears to already be built up enough to have no restrictions as a rotation option for the postseason.

Means did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks over five innings in an 8-7 win over Houston. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing a run in the opening frame, Means would rebound to blank the Astros over his final four innings in an eventual no-decision. The left-hander only has two strikeouts in two starts (10 innings) since returning from Tommy John surgery, though he's been able to do a relatively effective job of limiting damage by allowing just four runs. Means will try for his first win since 2021 in his next outing, currently scheduled for this weekend in Cleveland.

Means (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings against St. Louis. He struck out one without issuing any walks.

EDGE Analysis

Following a 517-day absence due to elbow and back injuries, Means threw 75 pitches (55 strikes), surrendering two solo home runs and a sacrifice fly. Unfortunately, the Orioles' offense wasn't up for the occasion, and the 30-year-old was charged with the loss in his season debut. It was an encouraging outing, given the circumstances, but Means was only able to generate eight swinging strikes and record one strikeout Tuesday. An All-Star who finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting to Yordan Alvarez in 2019, Means was chosen as Baltimore's Opening Day starter in 2021 and 2022 before multiple injuries caused a lengthy sabbatical for the southpaw. If he's able to regain some of his past form, Means could prove to be a valuable fantasy asset down the stretch. Baltimore's current six-man rotation means his next start is likely to come early next week in Houston.