When Orioles ace John Means unexpectedly exited his June 5 start in the first inning, manager Brandon Hyde’s bullpen was forced to cover far more innings than would be hoped. Since Means landed on the injured list with a left shoulder strain, that’s been the case more often than not.
Means will make his first rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on Sunday, the next step as he works to rejoin the Orioles’ rotation after the All-Star break. Had he stayed healthy, Means very well could’ve spent part of the break in Denver, representing the Orioles as an All-Star for the second time in three years.