Guardians sign LHP John Means
CLEVELAND, OH - The Cleveland Guardians announced today the signing of free agent LHP John Means to a Major League contract for the 2025 season with a 2026 Club Option.
Means, 31, has spent his entire professional career in the Baltimore Orioles organization, debuting in 2018 before earning a 2019 American League All-Star nod during a breakout season that saw him post 12 wins, a 3.60 ERA and the 9th-best pitching bWAR in the AL (4.4, tops among AL rookie hurlers). He also tossed the sixth no-hitter in Orioles history on May 5, 2021 at Seattle, recording a career-high 12 strikeouts while facing the minimum 27 hitters in the gem. The Olathe, KS native and West Virginia University alum has been limited to 10 ML starts and 52.1 innings over the last three seasons while undergoing and recovering from left elbow reconstructions. Means posted a 2.61 ERA in 4 starts for Baltimore in 2024 (20.2IP, 16H, 6ER) before going on the Injured List in late May.
To allow room for Means on the 40-man roster, the Guardians today placed UTL David Fry on the 60-day Injured List. Means has reported to camp and will work out with the club tomorrow.