The starter with the best stats in the Orioles’ rotation, John Means, is out for the near-term. Means was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 17, because of a left shoulder strain.

Means, who is 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.146 WHIP, could return as soon as June 28.

He told reporters in Seattle that he first felt the shoulder tighten during last Sunday’s start against Boston. Means doesn’t believe the injury is serious and thinks he’ll be ready to return when he’s eligible.

Means was scheduled to start Friday against the Mariners, but manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that it would likely be a bullpen game for the  Orioles.

To replace Means on the roster, the Orioles recalled right-hander Evan Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk. This is Phillips’ fifth stint with the Orioles.

Dwight Smith Jr. has been activated from the 10-day IL. Smith, who suffered a concussion in Texas on June 6, played two rehab games for Norfolk.

Pitcher Dan Straily was designated for assignment. Straily was 2-4 with a 9.82 ERA in 14 games. He gave up three home runs in Tuesday’s 16-2 loss to Oakland.

Mancini feels better: Trey Mancini, who suffered a bruised left elbow when he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s game in Oakland, told reporters in Seattle that he felt better and hoped to play on Friday.

Mussina to throw out first pitch: Three weeks before he enters the Hall of Fame, former Oriole starter Mike Mussina will throw out the first pitch before the June 30 game against Cleveland.

Mussina, whose cap on his Hall of Fame plaque will not feature an Orioles or New York Yankees logo, will be enshrined in Cooperstown on July 21.

More draft picks: The Orioles signed four more draft picks: Shortstop Darell Hernaiz (5th round), catcher Maverick Handley (6), shortstop Andrew Martinez (24), and left-handed pitcher Jake Prizina (32). They’ve signed 28 of 41 picks.

Former Oriole Update: The New York Mets fired pitching coach Dave Eiland and bullpen coach Chuck Hernandez and replaced them on an interim basis with Phil Regan, who managed the Orioles in 1995, and Ricky Bones, who pitched with the Orioles in 1999. Regan, 82, was the Orioles’ manager when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played.