3. The return of John Means

For much of the Orioles’ rebuild, the only games to look forward to were those Means started. With the left-hander continuing to rehab from last year’s Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, “John Means Day” won’t be celebrated again until the summertime, and the wait should make it even more of a special occasion.

From 2019 to 2021, only seven pitchers who threw as many innings as Means allowed a lower on-base percentage to opposing hitters than he did. Baltimore came three games shy of the postseason in 2022 despite getting only eight innings from Means before his left elbow gave out. His midseason return will undoubtedly offer a boost to the Orioles’ rotation.