The Kansas City Royals have signed starting pitcher John Means to a two-year minor league contract. Means, 32, last pitched in the MLB with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. That season, Means was 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA, 4 games, 4 starts, 20.1 innings, 16 strikeouts, 2 walks, and a whip of 0.87.

Means had his best season in 2019. That season, Means was 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA, 31 games, 27 starts, 155 innings, 121 strikeouts, 38 walks, and a whip of 1.14. The wins, games, starts, and innings were all career highs for Means. The ERA was also a career best for Means.

In 2021, Means had career highs in complete games (1), shutouts (1), and strikeouts (134). On May 5, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park, Means threw a no-hitter.

Overall, Means has played 7 MLB seasons. Means is 23-26 with a 3.68 ERA, 78 games, 73 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 401 innings, 334 strikeouts, 79 walks, and a whip of 1.05.

Means will probably miss all of the 2026 season after tearing his Achillies tendon in December 2025.

If the Royals are able to get Means healthy, he could be addition at some point in 2027.