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Orioles Activating Key Players From IL

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The Orioles have activated Heston Kjerstad and Jacob Webb from the IL, and DFA’d Cole Irvin and Nick Maton.

 

 

After getting hit in the head by a pitch in mid-July, Kjerstad has finally been cleared to rejoin the Orioles. He should begin to see every day starts in a variety of positions. Webb, who went on the IL in early August, is finally ready to return to the backend of the Orioles bullpen. Cole Irvin and Nick Maton saw limited time in their most recent Orioles stints and were not poised to make the playoff roster anyway.

Where Will Heston Kjerstad Play

Kjerstad, the 2nd pick in the 2020 draft, is a strong left-handed hitter who can hit anywhere in the lineup. In 28 games this season, Kjerstad had a .261/.370/.421 slash line, which is extremely solid. Over the past two months, the Orioles lineup has struggled immensely. Hopefully, Kjerstad can come back and be the sparkplug they need.

Primarily a corner outfielder, Kjerstad should also see plenty of time in left and right field and DH. Despite those positions being very crowded, Kjerstad deserves to get plenty of playing time. Although the right field is normally reserved for Anthony Santander, Santander has been getting work at first base. This is because Ryan Mountcastle has not progressed much since his wrist injury. If Santander shifts to first, Kjerstad should take over his starting position in the right field.

Also, to give Kjerstad a fair shot at at-bats, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has to avoid his usual lineup decisions. Against right-handed pitchers, Ryan O’Hearn has essentially been engraved into the lineup card. However, since September 1st, O’Hearn is hitting .146 with 0 home runs. That is not someone who deserves an everyday spot on a playoff team. Kjerstad should take some of those at-bats, especially as a fellow left-handed batter.

Jacob Webb’s Impact

The impact of getting Webb back on the Orioles bullpen cannot be overstated. In close games, the Orioles relievers have recently struggled to keep the score close. This especially has been an issue for the backend relievers. So, getting Webb back will make a huge difference. In 49 and 2/3 innings so far this season, Webb has a 3.08 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 2 saves. He will immediately come back and fill the big question mark the Orioles have for the role of their setup man. The Orioles bullpen has desperately missed a strong arm like Webb, so it will be nice to get him back.

Overall, Kjerstad and Webb coming back is a great sign for an injured Orioles roster. Both players can come back and greatly impact their respective position groups. Hopefully, they are the first of multiple Orioles to return from the IL over the next few weeks.

Main Photo Credits: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

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