This former All-Star is a step closer to helping the Guardians' postseason push

Last season, the Cleveland Guardians pulled off one of the more shrewd signings in baseball when they signed Matthew Boyd as a free agent while he was in the midst of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. 

While the Guardians had to wait a month and a half to see the fruits of their signing of Boyd, the veteran hurler made the wait worth it, as he posted a sparkling 2.72 ERA in 39 2/3 innings before giving up just one run in 11 2/3 postseason innings. 

And, if everything continues to go to plan, it looks like the Guardians could get that shot in the arm this year from John Means. 

This former All-Star is a step closer to helping the Guardians' postseason push

Over the weekend, Means tossed two innings in a “bridge game” in the team’s Arizona Complex, which signifies his first game action since he underwent Tommy John surgery last June.

If he bounces back well, he could now move to a minor league affiliate, which would put him one step closer toward making his major league debut this season. 

Means, 32, signed with the Guardians in the offseason on a one-year deal worth $1 million that comes with a $7.5 million club option for next season. So, if the experiment doesn’t work for whatever reason, the Guardians would easily be able to cut bait after the season.

But, as of now, it seems like the Guardians will be willing to roll the dice on Means next season regardless of if he joins the Guardians’ roster. 

Means is the ultimate potential play for the Guardians. He was an All-Star in 2019 and also threw a no-hitter in 2021 where the only baserunner came on a dropped third strike. He has a 3.68 ERA in 401 career innings, but has only thrown 52 1/3 innings since the start of 2022 due to a variety of arm injuries. This was his second time having Tommy John surgery. 

This isn’t the first time the Guardians have navigated a pitcher coming back from injury. Along with helping turn Boyd into an All-Star level starter, the Guardians also traded for Alex Cobb last year despite the fact he hadn’t played in a game (though he had a hip injury) and they also were working through this same process with Shane Bieber before trading him to the Blue Jays. 

While the Guardians won’t be able to get the same kind of production from Means this year that they got from Boyd last year — Boyd made his season debut on Aug. 13 — his signing was always more about 2026 compared to 2025. 

But, if he does come back, he’ll be joining a Guardians pitching staff that’s posted a 3.96 ERA in the second half, so there won’t be as much pressure on him to produce. 

The Guardians’ postseason push is quickly becoming an all hands on deck affair, and Means getting closer to the big leagues adds to that notion.