John Means#47

Omaha Storm Chasers·BBRef

RSFree agentFLBFree agent

Pos: Pitcher

B/T: L / L

Born: Apr 24, 1993 (33)

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 230 lbs

Owned: 0.0%

From: Olathe, KS

Drafted: 2014

John Means

#47

Omaha Storm Chasers BBRef

RSFree agentFLBFree agent

Position: Pitcher

Bats/Throws: L / L

Born: Apr 24, 1993 (33)

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 230 lbs

Owned: 0.01%

From: Olathe, KS

Drafted: 2014

Means (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Quad Cities on Wednesday.

3w agoRotowire

It will be the first game appearance for Means since he had surgery over the winter to repair a ruptured left Achilles. The left-hander was also limited to only seven rehab starts in 2025 following a second Tommy John surgery. Means -- who is in the first year of a two-year minor-league contract -- could conceivably get a look from the Royals at the end of this season, but the primary goal is to have him ready to go in 2027.

Means (Achilles) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Royals on Friday.

Feb 13Rotowire

Means missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he's now due to miss the entire 2026 campaign after rupturing his Achilles during the offseason. His two-year deal will allow him to remain with the Royals in 2027, at which point the left-hander will work toward making his first MLB appearance since 2024 and just his 11th since 2022.

Means ruptured his Achilles tendon on Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Dec 19Rotowire

Means posted the news on his own social media. He noted that he was set to be recovered fully from Tommy John surgery in time for Opening Day and was on the verge of signing before the injury occurred. No timeline for his recovery has been announced, but he'll almost certainly miss the entire 2026 season. This continues a run of bad injury luck for Means, who had made just 10 appearances in the majors since 2022.

The Guardians declined Means' (elbow) 2026 club option Thursday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Nov 7Rotowire

Means is near the end of his recovery from Tommy John surgery but hasn't pitched in the majors since May 22, 2024. He made seven total rehab appearances in the final six weeks of the campaign, so he should be ready for the start of spring training with his new club.

Means (elbow) allowed three runs on four hits while striking out four over 5.1 innings for Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

9/20/25Rotowire

Means threw 84 pitches (52 strikes) in his seventh rehab start and fifth at Triple-A. The outing is expected to be his final rehab outing, and the left-hander could join the Guardians next week as they vie for a playoff spot. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt told Patrick Donnelly of MLB.com on Friday that he's considering adding Means to the roster but will wait to see how the pitcher responds. The Guardians are already working with a six-man rotation, but Means could offer length out of the bullpen.

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Year	G	GS	W	L	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2018BAL	1	0	0	0	0	3.1	6	1	0	4	13.50	1.80
2019BAL	31	27	12	11	0	155.0	138	23	38	121	3.60	1.14
2020BAL	10	10	2	4	0	43.2	36	12	7	42	4.53	0.98
2021BAL	26	26	6	9	0	146.2	125	30	26	134	3.62	1.03
2022BAL	2	2	0	0	0	8.0	8	0	2	7	3.38	1.25
2023BAL	4	4	1	2	0	23.2	13	4	4	10	2.66	0.72
2024BAL	4	4	2	0	0	20.2	16	2	2	16	2.61	0.87
Career	78	73	23	26	0	401.0	342	72	79	334	3.68	1.05
Year	G	GS	W	L	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP