John Means Suffers Achilles Injury in Latest Setback After Years of Battling Back
John Means hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since May 2024. And now, after a long road of recovery and resilience, the left-hander has been hit with yet another crushing blow.
The 32-year-old, who signed a $1 million deal with the Cleveland Guardians for the 2025 season, never got the chance to throw a pitch for the big-league club. On Tuesday, Means revealed via Instagram that he ruptured his Achilles during an offseason workout - a devastating injury that will once again sideline a pitcher who’s already endured more than his fair share of rehab and recovery.
“This is hard to put into words, but I’ll try,” Means wrote. “On Tuesday, while training, I ruptured my Achilles.
It happened the same day I was supposed to sign with a team and be available on Opening Day for the first time in a long time. … I was finally enjoying my first healthy offseason in four years and felt better than ever.”
For Means, this injury isn’t just another physical hurdle - it’s a gut punch that comes at a time when he was finally turning a corner. After undergoing two Tommy John surgeries in the past four years, he was poised to be ready for Opening Day - something that hadn’t been possible in recent seasons. The timing couldn’t be more brutal.
But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Means over the years, it’s that he doesn’t back down from adversity.
Originally drafted by the Orioles in the 11th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Means wasn’t a top prospect or a fast-track guy. He was a grinder - the kind of pitcher who earned everything he got.
He made his MLB debut in 2018 and quickly became a bright spot in a struggling Orioles rotation. By 2019, he was the team’s ace, earning an All-Star nod while racking up 12 wins for a Baltimore team that lost 108 games.
That same underdog spirit was on full display in 2021 when Means threw a no-hitter against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park, striking out 12 and coming within a dropped third strike of a perfect game. It was a moment that showed just how dominant he could be when healthy - a reminder of the talent that made him a frontline starter in the first place.
But since the start of the 2022 season, it’s been a frustrating road. Between surgeries, setbacks, and now the Achilles rupture, Means has managed just 51.2 innings over three seasons. Every time it seemed like he was close to turning the page, another obstacle appeared.
Now, with this latest injury, his future on the mound becomes even more uncertain. Achilles injuries are no joke - especially for a pitcher who’s already had to rebuild his arm twice.
The road back will be long and grueling. But if anyone knows how to fight through it, it’s Means.
“I don’t know why this happened or how this chapter will ultimately be used,” he said, “but I know it’s now part of my story and God has a plan.”
For now, the Guardians - and the rest of the baseball world - will have to wait and see what’s next for the former All-Star. But if history is any indicator, don’t count John Means out. Not yet.