The Baltimore Orioles never figured to be very good in 2022, but fans were eager to embrace the few strong assets on the roster. Ace starting pitcher John Means has quickly become a fan favorite in recent seasons after impressing atop an otherwise dismal rotation. Unfortunately, O's fans might not be seeing much of him the rest of this year, as his latest injury diagnosis does not bode well for a quick return to the mound.

Via MLB.com, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said, “I wouldn't expect him to pitch any time soon… He's still seeing some doctors, getting some second opinions… It's going to be a while.”

Fans were surely disappointed when Means hit the 10-day IL, but the latest update from Hyde brings things to a far more serious level. Hyde didn't disguise the fact that Means not pitching again in 2022 was a real possibility, though he insisted the left-hander would be seeing multiple specialists for second opinions on the injury.

Means' ailment is being coined as a left elbow strain, but the fact that the optimism about his return has quickly turned gloomy certainly doesn't bode well for the chances of this being a minor injury. Any elbow injury for a pitcher is worrisome, and the Orioles may be looking at a long-term absence for Means, though that remains to be seen.

Means started 2 games this season, throwing 8.0 innings, striking out 7 batters, and recording a 3.38 ERA. Last year, he was the most reliable arm in the Orioles' rotation, starting 26 games to the tune of a 3.62 ERA, a team-high 6 wins, and 134 strikeouts.