Heston

Kjerstad

It came off Randy Dobnak in the eighth. Kjerstad spent his first 10 days back in the majors playing regularly against righties, but with Ryan Mountcastle back, he was out of the lineup for the fourth time in five games today, suggesting that he’s going to be a reserve in the postseason. Of course, the homer can’t hurt. He finishes at .253/.351/.394 in 114 plate appearances this year.

He’s DHing and batting cleanup today. Kjerstad will get a chance to help the Orioles as at least a part-timer after going 6-for-18 with a 1/3 K/BB in six games on a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old was sent down by the Orioles on Aug. 1, only to be recalled and placed on the IL because he was still dealing with the aftereffects of a concussion. He’s hit .261/.370/.420 in 81 major league plate appearances this season. Eloy Jiménez is likely to lose some playing time with Kjerstad back.

Kjerstad has missed the last month with a concussion. He’ll spend several days in the minors before the Orioles decide whether to activate him as a part-time player or send him down to Triple-A.

Kjerstad will go on a rehab assignment before the Orioles decide whether to bring him back to the majors or option him out. Kjerstad was hit in the head by a pitch on July 12 and missed a week before returning, struggling for a span and getting sent down. The Orioles were then forced to recall him and place him on the MLB injured list when he proved unable to play in the minors.

While there is still no clear timeline for the 25-year-old outfielder’s return, it’s encouraging to hear that he’s trending in the right direction. Once he is ready to return, it’s unclear if he’ll return to Triple-A Norfolk or if there will be room for him on the club’s active roster.

This obviously voids the move to option him, which came on Aug. 1. Typically, IL assignments can only be backdated three days, but circumstances are different here. Kjerstad hadn’t played in Triple-A since being sent down. Kjerstad was hit in the head by a pitch July 12, spent a week on the concussion IL afterwards and then played another week and a half for the Orioles before being sent down.

With the surprising addition of Eloy Jimenez at the trade deadline, the Orioles have decided to option Kjerstad back to the minors where he will presumably get everyday playing time. The 25-year-old acquitted himself well in his MLB action this year, hitting .261/.370/.420 but he was striking out 29 percent of the time, and the Orioles seemed unwilling to play him against left-handed pitching. Despite Eloy Jimenez not having lived up to his prospect hype and producing less at the plate than Kjerstad this season, the Orioles are going to move forward with the veteran. The silver lining is that their Triple-A team will continue to be dominant.

It’s the second consecutive game against a right-hander that Mullins has found himself on the pine for. The 29-year-old outfielder is slashing a woeful .214/.259/.375 on the season with 10 homers, 32 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Heston Kjerstad will draw a rare start in his place on Friday and will bat sixth against Padres’ rookie right-hander Adam Mazur.

The 25-year-old slugger passed through the concussion protocol and was cleared to return to action. He’s in the Orioles’ lineup on Saturday, starting in right field and batting fifth against Max Scherzer and the Rangers. Colton Cowser was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move on Saturday.

Kjerstad was placed on the concussion injured list last weekend after being hit in the head by a pitch from Yankees closer Clay Holmes. The rookie outfielder, who was batting .378 (14-for-37) with three homers and 12 RBI in 14 games since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk back in late June, is eligible to return this weekend, if he’s ready to go.