Rehabbing Guardians Pitcher Could Be Nearing Return To Majors

Help could be on the way for the Cleveland Guardians in the final stretch of the season.

John Means, who has yet to suit up for them, took another step towards getting back on the mound in the majors.

The southpaw hurler made his fifth rehab start, taking the mound for Triple-A Columbus against Indianapolis.

Means, who’s still working his way back from Tommy John surgery, was at Huntington Park for 4.1 innings.

He tossed 72 pitches, giving up five runs (all earned), six hits (including a solo home run), and two walks while striking out three.

Per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, the Guardians pushed back his start scheduled for Friday because he was feeling a little ill:

“Means was initially slated to start for the Clippers on Friday, but he was pushed back after he felt under the weather leading up to that start. His workload on Sunday was in line with the initial plan for him to throw around 75 pitches. It was his longest rehab start and the most pitches he has thrown to this point. The Guardians have maintained throughout Means’ rehab that the priority, first and foremost, is getting through the process and not rushing it. But given his progression, he appears to be close to a return to the Majors,” Stebbins wrote.

Clearly, he wasn’t at his best on Sunday, so perhaps he was still dealing with the lingering effects of that sickness, but it was still encouraging to see him top the 70-pitch plateau without setbacks.

As things stand now, the Guardians have Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Parker Messick, and Joey Cantillo in the rotation.

They’re rolling with a six-man rotation to endure a stretch of 17 games in as many days, which will be followed by seven games in six days after just one day off.

The Guardians always knew it would be a slow process with Means, who has a club option for next season.

So far, he’s logged a 3.68 ERA in 78 games (73 starts) in seven seasons in the majors, and even if he can’t help their cause this season, he could be a factor next year.