HESTON KJERSTAD NEWS

Homers in Sunday's win Kjerstad hit a solo home run in his lone at-bat in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Twins.

Impact Kjerstad was a defensive replacement in right field and went yard when he came to the plate in the eighth inning. After returning from a concussion in mid-September, he went 7-for-30 (.233) over his last 11 contests of the season. Kjerstad finished the regular season with a .253/.351/.394 slash line, four homers, 14 RBI, eight runs scored and one stolen base over 114 plate appearances. If he makes the Orioles' postseason roster, he'll likely be a bench option.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to lose work to Mountcastle Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Impact Kjerstad had occupied the designated-hitter spot in each of the previous three games and started five of the past six contests overall, but he'll likely move into more of a part-time role following Ryan Mountcastle's reinstatement from the injured list Tuesday. Mountcastle and O'Hearn will serve as the Orioles' first baseman and designated hitter, respectively, Wednesday and are expected to occupy either lineup spot in some fashion more often than not heading into the postseason.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Three hits in Saturday's loss Kjerstad went 3-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

Impact Over his first five games back from a six-week absence due to a concussion, he went a modest 2-for-12 with two strikeouts. Kjerstad was able to break out Saturday, but it's unlikely to lead to a significant uptick in playing time as the Orioles slowly get healthier. He's slashing .271/.374/.400 with three home runs, 12 RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base over 99 plate appearances while mainly playing against right-handed pitchers this season.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Filling strong-side platoon role Kjerstad will start in right field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Giants.

Impact Kjerstad has now picked up three consecutive starts against right-handed pitchers since the Orioles activated him from the 10-day injured list Sunday. He looks set to hold down the strong side of a platoon with Eloy Jimenez, though both Kjerstad and Jimenez could lose out on at-bats once Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) returns from the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles activate former top prospect Heston Kjerstad The Baltimore Orioles activated outfielder Heston Kjerstad and right-handed reliever Jacob Webb from the injured list prior to Sunday’s game...

SEPTEMBER 15 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Former top prospect Kjerstad activated by Orioles DETROIT -- Amid a flurry of roster moves on Sunday morning, Heston Kjerstad was added to the active roster in a development that could help...

SEPTEMBER 15 • MLB.COM

Returns from IL The Orioles reinstated Kjerstad (concussion) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Impact Kjerstad will rejoin the big club for the first time since early August after he completed a six-game rehab assignment that included stops at Double-A Bowie and High-A Aberdeen during which he went 6-for-18 with a double and a 3:1 BB:K. Before he was deactivated due to the concussion, Kjerstad had been serving as a part-time player for the Orioles, though he may have a clearer path to playing time over the final two weeks of the season while Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) remains on the IL. Ryan O'Hearn has taken over as the primary first baseman in Mountcastle's absence, but the Orioles could look to the lefty-hitting Kjerstad to fill the large side of a platoon at designated hitter with the right-handed-hitting Eloy Jimenez.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Starts up rehab at High-A Kjerstad (concussion) began a rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen on Saturday and has gone 2-for-5 with a walk and a run over his first two contests with the affiliate.

Impact Kjerstad served as Aberdeen's designated hitter Saturday, then played five innings in right field Sunday. He'll likely remain in the minors during the upcoming week as he looks to regain his timing at the plate while he's been sidelined since late July while recovering from a concussion. Once Kjerstad is activated from the 10-day injured list, the Orioles may not have regular playing time available for him at the big-league level, so he could be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Clears concussion protocol Kjerstad has cleared concussion protocol and is ramping up his activities, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact The hope is that Kjerstad will be ready to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk next week. He's been sidelined since early August following a recurrence of concussion symptoms and will likely need numerous rehab games before rejoining the Orioles.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab games coming next week Kjerstad (concussion) is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Sept. 10 or shortly after, Danielle Allentuck and Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner report.

Impact Kjerstad has not played since a recurrence of his concussion symptoms back in early August. However, he was recently cleared to begin baseball activities and the hope is he will be ready to play in games next week. Kjerstad will be build back up slowly, so he's looking at a late-September return, provided there are no setbacks along the way.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning activities Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Kjerstad (concussion) has begun to ramp up baseball activities, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Impact Kjerstad's concussion has kept him on the injured list since Aug. 7, though he finally seems to be turning a corner in his recovery. The Orioles skipper noted that there is still no timetable in place for the 25-year-old outfielder's return, but the door is not closed on him rejoining Baltimore before the end of the season.

AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE

Option reversed, goes on IL The Orioles reversed Kjerstad's option to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday and placed him on the 10-day injured list with a concussion.

Impact Kjerstad had previously been placed on the 7-day IL on July 13 with a concussion before he was reinstated July 20. He went 2-for-18 with three walks and seven strikeouts while appearing in seven games for the Orioles before he was optioned to Norfolk last Thursday, but he never appeared in any games for the Triple-A club following his demotion. Evidently, Kjerstad is still dealing with lingering symptoms of the concussion nearly a month later, so the Orioles will keep him out of game action at Triple-A for the foreseeable future and give him more time off to recover. Kjerstad's placement on the IL is retroactive to this past Thursday, but don't expect him to be reinstated when he's first eligible to return Sunday.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors The Orioles optioned Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Impact Kjerstad had seemed due for an uptick in playing time after the Orioles traded Austin Hays last week, but he started just three of the next seven games and just one of the last five contests even as Baltimore faced all righties over that stretch. With Eloy Jimenez and Austin Slater officially added to the roster, Kjerstad will be one of the players to lose his spot.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Kjerstad will stay on the bench for the fourth time in five games, and his playing-time outlook appears to have only worsened in the aftermath of Tuesday's trade deadline. Not only did Kjerstad stay put in Baltimore rather than being sent to a rebuilding team as part of a trade package, but he'll face more competition for at-bats at designated hitter and in the corner outfield after the Orioles acquired Eloy Jimenez from the White Sox and Austin Slater from the Reds on Tuesday. With rookie Colton Cowser seizing hold of the leadoff role against right-handed pitching, Kjerstad doesn't have a spot in an everyday outfield that typically features Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander from left to right. Meanwhile, Ryan O'Hearn and Jimenez seem poised to form a platoon at DH.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again for Game 1 on Monday Kjerstad is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Blue Jays.

Impact Since returning from the 7-day injured list July 20 while he recovered from a concussion, Kjerstad has been deployed in a part-time role. He's started in just four of the Orioles' nine games following his activation, with four of his five absences from the lineup coming against right-handed pitching. Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander look to be manager Brandon Hyde's preferred starters in the outfield for now.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat Sunday Kjerstad is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Impact After spending the minimum seven days on the injured list due to a concussion, Kjerstad was activated Saturday and started in right field in the Orioles' 8-4 win, going 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Though he'll take a seat Sunday against southpaw Andrew Heaney, the lefty-hitting Kjerstad could reclaim regular reps against right-handed pitching now that he's fully healthy.

JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles active rookie Heston Kjerstad from concussion IL a week after 97 mph pitch hit his helmet

Baltimore Orioles rookie Heston Kjerstad has been activated from the seven-day concussion injured list

JULY 20 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Activated from concussion IL Kjerstad (concussion) was reinstated from the 7-day concussion injured list Saturday and he's starting in right field, batting fifth against the Rangers, Jake Rill of MLB.com repor...

Impact Kjerstad missed Baltimore's final two contests before the All-Star break and their first game after while nursing concussion symptoms. Since being called up June 24, he has produced a .378 average with three homers, 12 RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base over 37 at-bats in 14 games. In a corresponding move, outfielder Kyle Stowers was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from concussion IL Kjerstad (concussion) was reinstated from the 7-day concussion injured list Saturday and he's starting in right field, batting fifth against the Rangers, Jake Rill of MLB.com repor...

Impact Kjerstad missed Baltimore's final two contests before the All-Star break and their first game after while nursing concussion symptoms. Since being called up June 24, he has produced a .378 average with three homers, 12 RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base over 37 at-bats in 14 games. In a corresponding move, outfielder Kyle Stowers was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.

JULY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles OF Heston Kjerstad placed on 7-day concussion list Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad was scratched from Saturday’s starting lineup against the New York Yankees and placed on the se...

JULY 13 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Orioles' Heston Kjerstad on Concussion IL After HBP That Sparked Brawl With Yankees After being hit by a Clay Holmes sinker in the head on Friday night, the Baltimore left fielder was placed on the concussion IL.

JULY 13 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Orioles' Heston Kjerstad goes on the 7-day concussion list a day after being hit in the head

The Baltimore Orioles put outfielder Heston Kjerstad on the seven-day concussion injured list, less than 24 hours after he was hit in the helmet by a pitch

JULY 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Placed on concussion IL The Orioles placed Kjerstad on the 7-day concussion injured list Saturday.

Impact Kjerstad was scratched from Saturday's lineup after participating in pregame drills, and he'll now land on the 7-day IL as a result of getting hit in the head by a pitch Friday. Kyle Stowers was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replenish Baltimore's outfield depth.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched Saturday Kjerstad (head) was scratched from Baltimore's lineup ahead of Saturday's game versus the Yankees.

Impact Kjerstad was originally slated to return to left field just a day after getting hit in the head by a pitch Friday, but he wasn't feeling 100 percent during pregame drills, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, and he'll now sit out as a precaution. Austin Hays will cover left field instead and bat eighth.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

In Saturday's lineup Kjerstad (head) will start in left field and bat sixth Saturday against the Yankees.

Impact Kjerstad was hit in the helmet by a pitch during Friday's contest and had to leave the game early, though he appears to have escaped the incident without any serious damage. The 25-year-old has provided a nice boost to Baltimore's lineup, slashing .378/.465/.676 with three homers and 12 RBI since being recalled from Triple-A on June 24.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE