Means climbs the half mound (plus lineups)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – John Means is getting back to baseball normal.

Means threw his first half-mound session yesterday morning in Sarasota, tossing 20 fastballs with no discomfort in his surgically repaired left elbow. He’ll do it again Wednesday and progress to a full mound Friday morning.

“Felt great, felt awesome,” Means said. “Kind of felt like a baseball player again yesterday. Got some dirt on my cleats, so it was great. Everything felt good.”

Means said he threw with 50 percent intensity and will gradually increase it.

“Just feeling the slope again,” he said.

The Orioles are hopeful that Means rejoins their rotation in July.

Grayson Rodriguez makes his second spring start this afternoon against the Twins. Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop. Jordan Westburg is the third baseman and cleanup hitter.

Colton Cowser, who homered yesterday, is the designated hitter. Connor Norby is playing second base.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ryan McKenna CF
Kyle Stowers RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Lewin Díaz 1B
Colton Cowser DH
Daz Cameron LF
Connor Norby 2B
Anthony Bemboom C

Grayson Rodriguez RHP

Spenser Watkins will follow Rodriguez to the mound again. Also scheduled are Logan Gillaspie, Kyle Dowdy and Ofreidy Gómez.

Kyle Gibson starts Wednesday against the Pirates in Sarasota, Tyler Wells starts Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater, and Kyle Bradish starts Friday against the Twins in Sarasota.

For the Twins
Joey Gallo 1B
Carlos Correa SS
Max Kepler RF
José Miranda DH
Donovan Solano 2B
Kyle Farmer 3B
Trevor Larnach LF
Michael A. Taylor CF
Ryan Jeffers C

Kenta Maeda RHP