Eight days ago, Heston Kjerstad took a nasty 96 mph fastball right to the helmet. Fast forward to this Saturday, and he’s back in the action, batting fifth and covering right field for the Orioles.
Just before Saturday night’s clash against the Rangers, the Orioles made a big move: they reinstated Kjerstad from the seven-day concussion injured list. To make room, they sent outfielder Kyle Stowers to the minors. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was quick to highlight that Kjerstad had a “full workout” on Friday and has been cleared for game action.
Hyde was enthusiastic about Kjerstad’s return, noting, “[Kjerstad] took batting practice yesterday, felt a lot better, and has passed every single test for a few days now.” He added, “He feels really good. He’s cleared by MLB, our medical team, and we’re excited to have him back in the lineup.” Kjerstad’s injury had stirred up quite a bit of drama last Friday, leading to a benches-clearing altercation in the ninth inning. After Hyde expressed his frustration with New York closer Clay Holmes, a shouting match ensued with a Yankees coach, leading to both benches and bullpens emptying out. Although no punches were thrown, Hyde was ejected from the game.
The Orioles had to place Kjerstad on the IL last Saturday after he warmed up and didn’t feel quite right. Luckily, the All-Star break came at a perfect time, allowing the Orioles to rest Kjerstad without missing too many games. MLB introduced the seven-day IL for concussion symptoms back in 2011, and it’s been a lifesaver for situations like these.
In the final stretch of the first half of the season, Baltimore’s offense had been struggling, but Kjerstad was a standout performer. Since his recall on June 24, the 25-year-old outfielder was on fire, hitting .378 with a jaw-dropping 1.141 OPS across 43 plate appearances. Kjerstad has primarily been platooning with right-handed hitter Austin Hays, and together, they’ve been delivering impressive results, with Hays also swinging a hot bat.
Stowers, meanwhile, had only one at-bat during his brief stint with the Orioles but made an impact. His leadoff single in the ninth inning on Sunday sparked a rally that ended with Cedric Mullins’ walk-off double, snapping the team’s five-game losing streak.
Looking ahead, the next 10 days are a bit of a mystery as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. Since Stowers can’t be recalled without an injury to a current Baltimore player for another 15 days, there’s a chance his next opportunity might come with a different team. Stowers, at 26, was the Orioles’ third draft pick in 2019, right after Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. He made his MLB debut in 2022 and served as a platoon player down the stretch as Baltimore aimed for a wild-card spot. He made the 2023 team out of spring training but spent most of the season in the minors due to injuries, including a fractured nose from a pitch. This season, he was recalled in mid-May, swapping places with Kjerstad, who had been struggling. Stowers served as a backup outfielder for five weeks before being sent back down.
Hyde has high praise for Stowers, noting, “Kyle’s done everything asked of him. He’s putting himself in position to be a major league outfielder.” Hyde is particularly impressed with Stowers’ performance in Triple-A and his contributions in the majors, including his clutch single that helped secure a recent win. “I’ve been really impressed by Kyle this year,” Hyde added. “He’s made great adjustments with his swing and improved defensively. We’re comfortable putting him out there. It’s just one of those numbers things right now, but Kyle is going to get a chance to be an everyday major league player, whether with us or someone else. He’s set himself up nicely for that opportunity.”
Now, let’s check in on some other Orioles news:
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Cole Irvin is sticking around in the Orioles’ bullpen, according to Hyde. Irvin, who started for most of the first half of the season, has been moved to the bullpen due to recent struggles and Dean Kremer’s return from the IL. Albert Suárez is slated to start on Tuesday in Miami, but the final two starters against the Marlins are still up in the air. With Monday’s off-day, there’s a chance Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez could start those games, which would allow Baltimore to avoid a fifth starter until July 28, when prospect Cade Povich becomes eligible for recall.
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Relief pitcher Vinny Nittoli, who joined the Orioles last weekend, spoke to the media for the first time and shared his excitement about the Orioles’ use of analytics. Nittoli, 33, is the latest addition to Baltimore’s pitching staff. With a career spanning ten MLB organizations and multiple minor league teams since being drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2014, Nittoli is no stranger to change. “It’s a lot,” he said of his journey. “But it’s really cool to meet new people.” He also mentioned his impressive collection of team hats from each organization he’s played for, proudly displayed in his “man cave.”
In summary, as the Orioles navigate a busy and unpredictable season, the return of Heston Kjerstad is a major boost. The team is managing a roster juggling act with Kyle Stowers and other players, while Vinny Nittoli’s fresh perspective adds a new layer to the pitching staff. With the trade deadline approaching and key players like Kjerstad back in action, the Orioles are poised for an exciting second half of the season.
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