Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Receives spot on ALDS roster
Rotowire
Kjerstad is on the Orioles' roster for their ALDS matchup against the Rangers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Kjerstad slashed .233/.281/.467 with two homers and three RBI after being promoted from Triple-A Norfolk in mid-September -- enough to secure himself a spot on the initial playoff roster. The 24-year-old rookie will likely serve as bench depth as Baltimore may choose to send out their experienced veterans more often for the postseason.
Kjerstad isn't in the Orioles' lineup Saturday versus the Guardians, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Kjerstad will get a breather Saturday after starting his major-league career 5-for-21 with two homers across his first eight games. Adley Rutschman will operate as Baltimore's designated hitter instead while James McCann starts behind the plate.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Taking seat Thursday
Rotowire
Kjerstad is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Cleveland.
Kjerstad had started each of the previous three games at designated hitter, but he will begin this one on the bench. Anthony Santander will be at DH on Thursday while Aaron Hicks gets a start in right field.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Clubs second homer
Rotowire
Kjerstad went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Astros.
Kjerstad padded the Orioles' lead in the seventh inning with his second homer in five games since he was called up. He's gone 4-for-13 with five strikeouts. The 24-year-old has made all three of his starts at designated hitter, though he can also be an option at first base and in the corner outfield in a pinch. For now, it appears the Orioles are focused on letting him hit in a part-time role versus right-handed pitchers.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Not in lineup Sunday
Rotowire
Kjerstad is on the bench again Sunday against the Rays.
Kjerstad has drawn only one start since being promoted Thursday from Triple-A Norfolk. Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander will start across the outfield Sunday with Adley Rutschman serving as the Orioles' designated hitter.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Tallies first big-league homer
Rotowire
Kjerstad went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Friday against the Rays.
Kjerstad drew his first big-league start Friday. He struck out in his first plate appearance before leading off the sixth frame with his first career home run. Kjerstad was lifted for a pinch hitter with a lefty on the mound in his next plate appearance, an indication his playing time may be limited after he was also out of the lineup Thursday upon being called up to the majors.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Not in starting nine
Rotowire
Kjerstad will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Kjerstad's role down the stretch may take some time to figure out. He was limited to a pinch-hit appearance in his MLB debut Thursday, then started at designated hitter and homered Friday, only to retreat to the bench the following day. Kjerstad's first off day came against a lefty, which hinted at a possible platoon role, but his off day Saturday comes against righty Tyler Glasnow. Anthony Santander will serve as the DH on Saturday, with Aaron Hicks entering the lineup in right field.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Pinch-hit appearance in MLB debut
Rotowire
Kjerstad went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in Thursday's 4-3 loss against the Rays.
The 24-year-old top prospect was thrown right into a big spot in his big-league debut, entering in the eighth inning with the Orioles trailing by one. Despite the underwhelming start to his career, Kjerstad is expected to be a significant part of Baltimore's young core for the foreseeable future.
Kjerstad will serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh Friday against the Rays.
Kjerstad made his major-league debut off the bench in Thursday's series opener versus Tampa Bay and will now get his first big-league start. Prior to being promoted to Baltimore, the 24-year-old had slashed .303/.376/.528 with 21 home runs in 122 games this summer between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Officially up for MLB debut
Rotowire
The Orioles selected Kjerstad's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
A heart condition and a serious hamstring injury have conspired to limit Kjerstad's reps in the minors since he was drafted second overall in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, but he's been excellent when healthy. He's managed to avoid any setbacks on the health front this season and will now get the call to the big leagues after submitting a .904 OPS with 21 home runs in 122 games between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk. He can handle the corner outfield spots as well as first base and could see starts against right-handed pitching, especially while Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) is banged up.
Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: May be promoted to majors
Rotowire
Kjerstad traveled to Baltimore to join the Orioles on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
No roster move has been announced yet, but the Orioles will keep Kjerstad close by in case Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) has to go on the injured list. Kjerstad is slashing .299/.370/.500 with 10 homers and 32 RBI across 332 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk this season.
