MLB Notebook: Orioles southpaw undergoes second Tommy John surgery in two years; Mariners sign former World Series champion; Red Sox infielder frustrated following latest setback

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Orioles left-hander John Means underwent Tommy John surgery on Monday, his second in the last two years.

“It’s a big blow, and I know that he tried to try to gut through that day in St. Louis,” manager Brandon Hyde said to reporters. “Unfortunately, a lot of Tommy John’s happening right now, and, talking to Means, I thought it was really admirable how hard he worked to come back, and it’s just really disappointing to see him having to miss another significant amount of time after this next one.”

The Orioles placed Means on the injured list with a forearm strain on May 23, after his start against the Cardinals. He only tossed three innings in the outing.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias announced that both Means and Tyler Wells would undergo season-ending surgeries.

Means is only signed through 2024 and will enter free agency with the likelihood that he will miss all of next season. The typical timeline for someone rehabbing from Tommy John is between 12 and 18 months.

The lefty has thrown 52 1/3 innings over the past three seasons and 401 in his seven-year MLB career, all with the Orioles. The 2019 American League All-Star has a career 3.68 ERA.

Mariners sign former World Series champion

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The Mariners signed former Nationals outfielder Victor Robles, per Ty Dane Gonzalez of the Locked on Marinerspodcast. In the corresponding move, Seattle optioned outfielder Jonatan Clase to create room for Robles.

The 27-year-old is a former top prospect with Washington but has struggled over the years. The Nationals decided to move on from him last week when they designated the outfielder for assignment.

Washington will be responsible for Robles’ $2.65 million salary, while Seattle will be on the hook for a prorated portion of the $740K league minimum.

After spending seven-plus years in the Nationals organization, Robles slashed .236/.311/.356 with 31 homers and 70 stolen bases in 530 games.

Vaughn Grissom frustrated by latest hamstring injury

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Red Sox second baseman Vaughn Grissom’s start to his Red Sox career hasn’t gone to plan. The infielder has spent the majority of time on the injured list, dealing with groin and hamstring injuries.

After missing the first month and change of the season due to a left hamstring strain and getting the flu, Grissom made his Red Sox debut in May. The 23-year-old struggled hitting .148, .207 on-base percentage, .367 OPS percentage, with no homers, and three RBI in 81 at-bats (23 games).

His slow start offensively is in part due to not having a traditional spring training and getting just 20 days with Triple-A Worcester before he was recalled.

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On Saturday afternoon against the Tigers, Grissom was dealt another blow, straining his right hamstring while trying to run out a grounder to first base.

“Pretty frustrating,” Grissom told reporters following the game on Saturday at Fenway Park. “Trying to dig one out and to have it end like that … obviously very unexpected. Just grabbed on me.”

The young infielder doesn’t think this injury is nearly as bad as the one he experienced in spring training that landed him on the shelf for an extended period of time.

“I feel like I was just seeing the end of the tunnel. So, it sucks,” he said.