Guardians Insider Reveals Immediate Plans For John Means

The Cleveland Guardians’ rotation has been solid in 2025 and, particularly, in the last few weeks.

Even without Luis Ortiz, Shane Bieber, and with Tanner Bibee far from his best version, the unit has thrived in recent games.

Of course, depth and upside are always welcome, and that’s what the organization would love to get from John Means this year.

The Guardians signed Means when he was in the early stages of Tommy John surgery recovery back in the offseason, and he has taken significant steps towards a return for the stretch run.

On Saturday, he threw two innings in a “bridge” game at the Guardians’ complex in Arizona, reporting no issues.

Guardians insider Tim Stebbins revealed the next step in Means’ recovery process.

“John Means is in Cleveland. He’s slated to throw a bullpen on Wednesday, and the Guardians will map out his next step after, Stephen Vogt noted,” he wrote on his X account.

John Means is in Cleveland. He's slated to throw a bullpen on Wednesday and the Guardians will map out his next step after, Stephen Vogt noted.

— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) August 12, 2025

Means is closing in on a rehab assignment, and those two innings he threw over the weekend prove it.

That should come shortly after Wednesday’s throwing session.

Of course, the left-hander is expected to need multiple rehab starts given his long layoff.

The hope is that he can join the Guardians for the playoff push in September after making two or three rehab starts in their minor league affiliates.

A healthy means has a lot to contribute to the Guards’ young staff.

He is a career 3.68 ERA pitcher with a 1.05 WHIP, and those numbers work in just about any rotation at the MLB level.

Can he reach that form, though? It remains to be seen, but if he is healthy, there is definitely a chance.