EASTLAKE, Ohio -- John Means flashed a smile as he walked off the mound and headed back to the first-base dugout at Classic Auto Group Park. The lefty went up the ladder in the third inning with an 85 mph changeup, which Padres prospect Eguy Rosario swung through for strike three.
Means made his second rehab start in his comeback from June 2024 Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, in High-A Lake County’s matchup against Fort Wayne. The Guardians lefty retired 10 of the 13 hitters he faced over 3 2/3 scoreless innings.
Means permitted one walk and two hits: an infield single and a bloop single. The 32-year-old threw 51 pitches (34 strikes) and used his full arsenal -- four-seamer, changeup, slider and knuckle curveball. His four-seamer topped out at 91.5 mph.
“Everything felt good,” Means said. “The fourth up felt good. I’m just glad to get to that point and get through the innings.”
Means’ workload was in line with the Guardians’ plan for him to complete four “ups” and toss around 50 pitches. It also was an uptick in volume from his first rehab start; Means threw 38 pitches (30 strikes) in 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the Captains on Friday.
Means previously tossed two innings in a “bridge” game at the Guardians’ complex in Arizona on Aug. 10.
From a volume standpoint, Means will likely need to make a couple more rehab starts before he is an option to join Cleveland’s big league roster. Typically, starters add 15 pitches and one inning of volume with each rehab start.
That type of progression could position Means to join the Guardians in early September. Right now, he is taking things one step at a time.
“It’s honestly just exciting to get back to competition. It’s been so long,” Means said. “Even if it’s for the Picantes, I’m enjoying being back.”
Means signed a one-year deal with the Guardians on Feb. 19 that includes a club option for 2026. He underwent Tommy John surgery last June while pitching for the Orioles, which marked his second time undergoing the procedure (also April ‘22). He has been limited to 10 starts since ‘22 as a result.
The Guardians’ rotation currently includes Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen and Parker Messick. Messick (Cleveland’s No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings vs. the D-backs in his impressive MLB debut on Wednesday.