Orioles’ John Means says he’ll have Tommy John surgery

Orioles starting pitcher John Means will have Tommy John surgery, the left-hander announced on his Twitter account on Saturday. The elbow surgery repairs a damaged ulnar collateral ligament and will end Means’ 2022 season.

Here is the tweet by Means:

“Hey all, just wanted to put a statement out. After multiple MRI’s, it’s confirmed that I need Tommy John surgery.

I’m obviously, disappointed, but more motivated than ever.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to watching what this team can do this year.

I’ll be back,

Go O’s”

The Athletic reported that Means will meet for a consultation Tuesday in Texas and then undergo surgery Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister, who also did Baltimore prospect Carter Baumler’s Tommy John surgery in 2020.

Means left the April 13th game against the Milwaukee Brewers after four innings with what the team called “left forearm tightness.”

When he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 15th, the injury was classified as “a left elbow strain.” Two days later, when Means was transferred from the 10-day to 60-day injured list, it was changed to “a left elbow sprain.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said at the time that Means would not be able to pitch anytime soon.

When asked if Means, who started two games, could pitch again this season, Hyde avoided specifics.

“I don’t know that. That’s a question mark right now,” he said.

In two starts, Means, who will turn 29 on Sunday, has a 3.38 ERA.