Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said for a second day in a row that Opening Day starter John Means’ arm fatigue was improving, but delayed a decision on whether Means would start on July 24 when the season opens at Boston’s Fenway Park.
As he hedged that decision, Hyde said that the Orioles were “definitely going to take a conservative route with John because he means so much to us and his future,” and listed Wade LeBlanc, Tommy Milone and Thomas Eshelman — all of whom began both spring training and summer camp as non-roster invitees — as alternatives to be the team’s Opening Day starter.