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TribeTown · 07-16-2026, 06:59 PM

John Means Returns to the Mound as Angels Use Opener Strategy

John Means’ return to a major league mound represented another step in the left-hander’s long journey back from Tommy John surgery. Once the centerpiece of the Baltimore Orioles rotation, Means had developed into one of the American League’s most reliable starters before injuries interrupted his career.

A former All-Star in 2019, Means emerged as Baltimore’s ace during a rebuilding period, earning a reputation for his command, deception, and ability to consistently work deep into games. In 2021, he threw the Orioles’ first individual no-hitter in decades, cementing his status as one of the organization’s most important players.

After missing significant time because of elbow issues and ultimately undergoing Tommy John surgery, Means spent the 2025 season attempting to rebuild his career. He joined the Cleveland Guardians organization last year, before signing with the Los Angeles Angels as a minor league free agent, giving the Angels a low-risk opportunity to add a proven starter attempting a comeback.

His first appearance with the Angels showed both the promise and the caution surrounding his return. Means opened the game against Detroit by facing top prospect Max Clark, striking him out for the first out of the afternoon. He then retired the side in order in the first inning, showing the command and composure that made him successful in Baltimore.

The second inning provided a tougher test. Spencer Torkelson led off with a double, and Colt Keit followed with a single, putting runners at the corners. Means responded by striking out Zach McKinstry before turning the game over to Logan Allen.

The Angels’ plan was clear: Means was not being asked to carry a traditional starter’s workload. Instead, he was used as an opener.

Why Use an Opener?
An opener is a pitcher who starts a game but is typically used for only one or two innings before giving way to a longer reliever or starter—the “follower”—who handles the bulk of the game.bThe strategy became popular as teams looked for ways to improve early-game matchups. Instead of allowing a traditional starter to face the top of the opposing lineup multiple times, a team can deploy a pitcher with a specific skill set against the first few hitters and then transition to a pitcher better suited for extended innings.

The opener concept is often used with pitchers who have strong stuff but may not be built for five or six innings, or when a team wants to avoid exposing a starter to a difficult portion of the lineup multiple times.

For Means, however, the reasoning was more nuanced.nHe has extensive starting experience—he was once a frontline rotation arm—but he is still rebuilding after major elbow surgery. Returning from Tommy John surgery requires carefully managing workload, pitch counts, and recovery between appearances. Rather than immediately asking Means to throw 75–90 pitches, the Angels can gradually increase his workload while still allowing him to contribute at the major league level.

Using him as an opener also allows Means to experience the rhythm and intensity of a major league game without placing excessive stress on his surgically repaired elbow.

Why Logan Allen Fits as the Follower
Logan Allen was a logical choice to follow Means because of his own profile. A left-handed starter with experience working multiple innings, Allen provides the length that an opener strategy requires. Unlike a traditional bullpen arm, Allen is accustomed to preparing for a starter’s workload. He can enter in the second or third inning, settle into a normal pitching routine, and potentially cover four or more innings. That allows the Angels to protect Means while still maintaining a conventional pitching structure.

The pairing also gives the Angels flexibility. Means handles the early matchup and gets his work in controlled bursts, while Allen provides bulk innings without the pressure of facing the game’s first hitters.

The experiment did not translate into a victory. After Means departed, the Angels struggled to contain Detroit’s offense and ultimately fell 10–1. But the outcome was secondary to the larger objective: getting Means back into major league competition and finding a sustainable way to use a pitcher who, before surgery, had proven capable of anchoring a rotation.
For the Angels, Means’ comeback is not about one outing—it is about gradually transforming a former ace back into a dependable major league option.

07-16-2026, 06:59 PM	#33
TribeTown All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Garrettsville, Ohio Posts: 686	John Means Returns to the Mound as Angels Use Opener Strategy John Means’ return to a major league mound represented another step in the left-hander’s long journey back from Tommy John surgery. Once the centerpiece of the Baltimore Orioles rotation, Means had developed into one of the American League’s most reliable starters before injuries interrupted his career. A former All-Star in 2019, Means emerged as Baltimore’s ace during a rebuilding period, earning a reputation for his command, deception, and ability to consistently work deep into games. In 2021, he threw the Orioles’ first individual no-hitter in decades, cementing his status as one of the organization’s most important players. After missing significant time because of elbow issues and ultimately undergoing Tommy John surgery, Means spent the 2025 season attempting to rebuild his career. He joined the Cleveland Guardians organization last year, before signing with the Los Angeles Angels as a minor league free agent, giving the Angels a low-risk opportunity to add a proven starter attempting a comeback. His first appearance with the Angels showed both the promise and the caution surrounding his return. Means opened the game against Detroit by facing top prospect Max Clark, striking him out for the first out of the afternoon. He then retired the side in order in the first inning, showing the command and composure that made him successful in Baltimore. The second inning provided a tougher test. Spencer Torkelson led off with a double, and Colt Keit followed with a single, putting runners at the corners. Means responded by striking out Zach McKinstry before turning the game over to Logan Allen. The Angels’ plan was clear: Means was not being asked to carry a traditional starter’s workload. Instead, he was used as an opener. Why Use an Opener? An opener is a pitcher who starts a game but is typically used for only one or two innings before giving way to a longer reliever or starter—the “follower”—who handles the bulk of the game.bThe strategy became popular as teams looked for ways to improve early-game matchups. Instead of allowing a traditional starter to face the top of the opposing lineup multiple times, a team can deploy a pitcher with a specific skill set against the first few hitters and then transition to a pitcher better suited for extended innings. The opener concept is often used with pitchers who have strong stuff but may not be built for five or six innings, or when a team wants to avoid exposing a starter to a difficult portion of the lineup multiple times. For Means, however, the reasoning was more nuanced.nHe has extensive starting experience—he was once a frontline rotation arm—but he is still rebuilding after major elbow surgery. Returning from Tommy John surgery requires carefully managing workload, pitch counts, and recovery between appearances. Rather than immediately asking Means to throw 75–90 pitches, the Angels can gradually increase his workload while still allowing him to contribute at the major league level. Using him as an opener also allows Means to experience the rhythm and intensity of a major league game without placing excessive stress on his surgically repaired elbow. Why Logan Allen Fits as the Follower Logan Allen was a logical choice to follow Means because of his own profile. A left-handed starter with experience working multiple innings, Allen provides the length that an opener strategy requires. Unlike a traditional bullpen arm, Allen is accustomed to preparing for a starter’s workload. He can enter in the second or third inning, settle into a normal pitching routine, and potentially cover four or more innings. That allows the Angels to protect Means while still maintaining a conventional pitching structure. The pairing also gives the Angels flexibility. Means handles the early matchup and gets his work in controlled bursts, while Allen provides bulk innings without the pressure of facing the game’s first hitters. The experiment did not translate into a victory. After Means departed, the Angels struggled to contain Detroit’s offense and ultimately fell 10–1. But the outcome was secondary to the larger objective: getting Means back into major league competition and finding a sustainable way to use a pitcher who, before surgery, had proven capable of anchoring a rotation. For the Angels, Means’ comeback is not about one outing—it is about gradually transforming a former ace back into a dependable major league option.