A near formality when the first edition of spring training began almost five months ago became official Friday, when Orioles manager Brandon Hyde named All-Star left-hander John Means the club’s Opening Day starter for the July 24 matchup with the Boston Red Sox.
Means, 27, finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019, posting a 3.60 ERA across 31 appearances. He opened the year in Baltimore’s bullpen, a surprise member of that season’s Opening Day roster, before pitching his way into the Orioles’ rotation and eventually into the All-Star Game.
“For a guy to do what he did, it’s a great story, coming out of spring training barely making the club and having some really impressive relief appearances,” Hyde said.