Alan Means, the father of Orioles pitcher John Means, died of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday night. He was 57.
Means’ wife, Caroline, tweeted the obituary.
Means, who pitched against Miami on Tuesday night, went on the bereavement list on Wednesday.
Manager Brandon Hyde said that he doesn’t know when Means will rejoin the Orioles, who begin a three-game series against the Nationals on Friday night.
“I was texting with him today,” Hyde said in a pregame video conference call. “Still a little bit unclear when he’s going to return. Obviously, we’re going to give him the time he needs to be with his family and we’ll be communicating with him these next few days.
“Our hearts are heavy for him and his family, and what they’re going through. We’re going to give him the time he needs.”
Thomas Eshelman will start against the Nationals’ Austin Voth on Saturday night. Hyde has not named a starter for Sunday to oppose Stephen Strasburg, who will be making his 2020 debut. With an offday on Monday, Hyde said it could be a bullpen game.
Third baseman Rio Ruiz will return to the lineup after missing five games because of right shoulder inflammation.
Player pool grows: The Orioles added left-handed pitcher Brian Gonzalez and infielder Gunnar Henderson to their 60-man player pool on Friday.
Gonzalez was the Orioles’ third-round draft choice in 2014. He was the first player selected after the team lost their first two draft choices as compensation for signing free agents Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz.
Henderson was the Orioles’ second-round draft pick in 2019, behind catcher Adley Rutschman.
The Orioles have 59 players in their 60-man player pool.
Because the Orioles are commuting from Baltimore for the series against Washington, there is no five-man taxi squad.
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Very sad to hear the passing of John Means father Alan Means. 57 years old is way too young. Damn cancer to h e double hockey sticks.
Great to hear Rio Ruiz is back in the lineup. The Orioles could really use his bat and defense going forward. Another nice pick up by Mike Elias, he worked on his strength and conditioning over the winter and looks bigger and stronger!
And many thanks to Mike Elias for sending Chance Sisco to see renowned hitting guru Craig Wallenbrock over the winter, he's a consultant for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they got a veritable power-hitter factory over there. He seems to be locked in and being more selective. Hopefully, he gets more playing time going forward for this year and in the near future they find him another position so he can play regularly when Rutschman gets here. I'm hoping 1st base for him when CD is gone.
God Bless to you & yours, never an easy thing to deal with, take whatever time you need...go John Means...
To the Means Family: I am so sorry for your loss. This is the same terrible disease that took my lovely wife of 60 years.
Norm, I so sorry to hear that about your wife passing, it must be heartbreaking. But at the same time, what a blessing it must have been to have been with someone for such a very long time. God bless you both.