The Cleveland Guardians have added left-handed pitcher John Means to their roster with a one-year contract, though he will not be available for immediate play as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Means underwent the procedure last June, marking this as his second major elbow surgery since 2022. The 31-year-old pitcher, who previously spent seven seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, has struggled with injuries in recent years, having started only ten games over the last three seasons.

In 2021, Means had a solid campaign, making 26 starts with a record of 6-9 and a respectable 3.62 ERA. However, his recent history has seen a significant decline in playing time. To facilitate Means' addition to the 40-man roster, the Guardians have placed David Fry on the 60-day injured list. Although Means has a club option for 2026, his immediate availability and future contributions remain uncertain.