Means (Achilles) will make rehab start in High-A

Two year minor-league contracts are not common, but they make more sense when you consider that Means is going to likely miss all of the 2026 season after rupturing his Achilles in December. The 32-year-old will have a chance to help Kansas City’s rotation in 2027 assuming there are no major setbacks in his recovery.

It’s a crushing blow for Means, who underwent surgery this week and is facing a lengthy rehabilitation process that could sideline him for most of next season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw never made it back to the majors this past season after spending the entire year working his way back from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. He became a free agent after the Guardians declined his $6 million club option for 2026.

Means is officially a free agent. He never made it to Cleveland after spending all of last season rehabbing from the second Tommy John surgery of his career. It’s extremely surprising to see the Guardians turn down a relatively low-risk one-year commitment, but they clearly have confidence in their stable of young arms heading into next year. The 32-year-old southpaw was an impact fantasy contributor earlier in his career with the Orioles but managers will need to see how he looks in spring training before rolling the dice in shallow mixed leagues.

Means struck out two and walked two while registering an 11 percent whiff rate and 18 percent CSW. He sat 90.5 mph on his fastball and allowed three home runs while throwing 61 pitches. He likely needs a few more rehab appearances before he can be considered for the Guardians’ rotation.

It’s the first official minor league rehab start for the 32-year-old southpaw as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, though he did throw two innings in a bridge game at the team’s spring training complex on Saturday. Expect a slow and methodical progression through his rehab starts, with an eye toward potentially helping out the Guardians down the stretch.

Means is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt reported that the veteran is “feeling great.” The team has not announced a next step for the 32-year-old, but he could progress to a rehab assignment soon with the hope of joining the Guardians for the playoff push in September.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Means is “feeling really good,” and the goal remains for him to return to MLB game action in September. The Guardians have not yet specified that Means will return as a starter, and they could get him back sooner if he finishes 2025 as a reliever. He’ll need to start a rehab assignment soon though.

Means, who is rehabbing after Tommy John surgery, isn’t expected back before August.

Means underwent surgery last June, so he won’t be a candidate to help the Guardians before August. He’ll likely wind up on the 60-day IL before then.

Means is reportedly guaranteed $1 million, while the team option is worth $7.5 million. The former Orioles left-hander underwent Tommy John in June and will be sidelined until at least August of this season. He’ll go on to the active roster for now, but he’ll be placed on the 60-day IL next time the team needs to make a move.