BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles for the second straight year were forced to reshuffle their Opening Day starting pitcher at the last minute.
On Tuesday the team scratched John Means from Friday's opener against the Red Sox, citing arm fatigue.
Replacing him will be Tommy Milone, who initially signed with the Orioles as a non-roster spring training invitee.
The rest of the rotation will remain intact, leaving veteran right hander Alex Cobb to start the second game of the season Saturday, followed by lefty Wade LeBlanc in Sunday's series finale.
Friday will mark the first career Opening Day start for Milone, who has compiled a 50-47 record and 4.47 ERA with six different teams over nine big league seasons.
Last year in his rookie season, Means represented the Orioles in the All Star game.
The 2020 Major League Baseball season will be shortened to only 60 games after getting off to a late start due to COVID-19.
Several rule changes will also be in effect. Most importantly, a team batting in extra innings will begin the frame with a runner already on second base. The National League will also join the American League in using a designated hitter rather than a pitcher in the batting order.
And of course, there will be no fans in the stands.
