SARASOTA, FLA. — Spring training games don’t often require a granular focus, but when John Means is facing a lineup of New York Yankees regulars in his first start of the spring, that approach was worthwhile Tuesday at Ed Smith Stadium.
It’s easy to focus on the spring training oddity of him leaving the first inning because of an elevated pitch count and coming back for the second as if nothing happened, but what Means was able to do in those two innings to start Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Yankees was a good test for what the Orioles will need from him this season, and one he ultimately passed.