Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad knows that he’s getting a legitimate chance to make the club and to play on a much more regular basis. The rest is up to him.End the shuttling between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk.

After two years of sporadic big league playing time and extra seasoning in the Minors, Heston Kjerstad has waited his turn to get an expanded role with the Orioles. That time appears to have arrived.

Kjerstad’s 2024 season was derailed by a concussion after he was struck in the helmet by a 96.8 mph sinker from Clay Holmes on July 13, leading to a benches-clearing moment. Before the injury, Kjerstad was thriving with a .314/.417/.529 first-half slash line. However, after returning, he struggled, hitting just 9-for-48 in the second half.

Orioles general manager Mike Elias noted Thursday that Kjerstad is a frontrunner for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports. "He has earned the right to get at-bats in the corner outfield and at designated hitter,

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias sees outfielder Heston Kjerstad as a front-runner for an Opening Day roster spot this year. "He's has earned the right to get at-bats in the corner outfield and at designated hitter,