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How Orioles’ September call-up can capitalize on Luis Robert Jr.’s injury
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- How Orioles’ September call-up can capitalize on Luis Robert Jr.’s injury
How Orioles' September call-up can capitalize on Luis Robert Jr.'s injury originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Baltimore Orioles are fading further away from the American League Wild Card race.
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The AL East club is 4-6 in its last 10 games and needs a strong finish to overtake the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Cleveland Guardians .
Losing outfielder Luis Robert Jr. to the injured list won't help. Robert appeared in just three games with the Orioles following his waiver claim from the New York Mets .
He landed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. To take his place, the Orioles promoted outfielder Heston Kjerstad from Triple-A Norfolk.
The Athletic's Andy McCullough believes this could be a huge opportunity for Kjerstad, who had a 59 OPS+ in 54 games with the Orioles in 2025.
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"Less than a week after Baltimore spent $5 million to claim him off waivers, Robert injured his hamstring. So it goes," McCullough wrote.
"That could mean more at-bats for Kjerstad, who has never put it all together since being chosen at No. 2 overall in 2020," McCullough added.
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Kjerstad had solid offensive numbers in Triple-A, hitting .289/.337/.462 with 11 home runs and a .799 OPS in 79 games.
The 27-year-old may not be Baltimore's savior and lead the organization back to the postseason.
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But he could make a lasting impression on the coaching staff and front office with a strong September. Robert's unfortunate injury paved the way for playing time for Kjerstad.
