Orioles reinstate OF Heston Kjerstad, RHP Jacob Webb off injured list

DETROIT The Orioles offense needs a boost.

Theyre hoping Heston Kjerstad can provide one.

The Orioles on Sunday morning reinstated Kjerstad off the injured list before their series finale against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

Baltimores bats havent been as potent in the second half, but theyve been even worse in September.

The Orioles have scored only 19 runs across their past nine games (2.1 per contest) while posting a combined .190 batting average and .583 OPS.

Despite , the clubs current slump is among their worst of the season.

Kjerstad, who has a .791 OPS in 28 games this season, could see regular playing time against right-handed starting pitchers perhaps at designated hitter with Ryan Mountcastle still on the IL with a sprained wrist.

Mountcastles injury has pushed Ryan OHearn into playing first base versus righties, perhaps opening a spot for Kjerstad, a left-handed hitter, to start against them at DH.

But Kjerstad isnt the only reinforcement rejoining the Orioles on Sunday.

The club also reinstated right-handed reliever Jacob Webb off the IL after he missed six weeks with elbow inflammation.

Left-hander Cole Irvin and infielder Nick Maton were designated for assignment in corresponding moves.

Webb, a platoon-neutral reliever, was one of Hydes most-trusted bullpen arms through the seasons first four months as the 31-year-old posted a 3.08 ERA and 1.168 WHIP across 49 2/3 innings.

He led all Orioles relievers in appearances before his injury in early August.

While the Orioles bullpen has been better of late, Webb will be a welcome addition for a unit frequently asked to pitch in close games given the offenses struggles.

Related Articles The start to Kjerstads MLB career has been through ups and downs.

He made his debut almost exactly a year ago Sept.

14, 2023, and was a bench bat for those Orioles during the stretch run.

He didnt make the 2024 opening day roster, though, as he was beat out by then-fellow prospect Colton Cowser, who is the front-runner to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Kjerstad was recalled in mid-April after a torrid start in Triple-A, but he received little playing time and was optioned back to Norfolk after a few weeks.

He rejoined the Orioles in late June and was one of the clubs best hitters for the next three weeks.

The 25-year-old slashed .378/.465/.676 good for a 1.141 OPS during that stretch, but his season was altered when he was hit in the head by a 94 mph fastball from New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes.

The hit by pitch led to a benches-clearing fracas, and sent Kjerstad to the IL with a concussion.

He returned a week later, struggled at the plate and was demoted.

But after reporting concussion symptoms again, he was placed on Baltimores 10-day IL.

After a month off, he began a minor league rehabilitation assignment Sept.

7 and played in several games to ramp up for his return, reaching base in his past five games..

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