When the Orioles announced Thursday afternoon that promising rookie left-hander John Means had been placed on the injured list with a shoulder strain, it was fair to wonder what else could possibly go wrong during the team’s lengthy losing streak.
Means has been one of those pleasant surprises that can take some of the sting out of a difficult season, and having him go on the IL the day after top hitter Trey Mancini had to sit down with a badly bruised elbow only figured to add to the negative narrative.
But Means would have none of that, insisting before Thursday’s game in Seattle that he will only miss one start and claiming that he has dealt with this exact situation before.