The Orioles’ roster cleanup on Thursday delivered an unexpected twist: Heston Kjerstad is now a free agent.
A source confirmed that Kjerstad, the former second-overall pick in the 2020 draft, cleared outright waivers and can sign with any team. The move came as Baltimore shuffled its 40-man roster and continued sorting out its offseason decisions.
Kjerstad, 27, had been drifting toward the edge of the club’s plans. He is out of minor league options next season, and his time in Baltimore this year never really got going. He wasn’t recalled until September, then went 4-for-19 with a double in 11 games.
His Orioles tenure was repeatedly interrupted by health problems. After being selected out of the University of Arkansas, he was diagnosed with myocarditis shortly after the draft. Across parts of four seasons, he hit .217/.280/.359 with nine doubles, two triples, 10 home runs and 38 RBIs in 117 games.
The setbacks kept piling up. A concussion in 2024 limited him to 39 games, though that season still turned out to be his best in the majors, with a .253/.351/.394 line.
He made the club out of spring training in 2025, but after batting .192/.240/.327 in 54 games, he was optioned. An undisclosed illness then forced Baltimore to shut him down at Triple-A Norfolk, with his last game coming on July 25.
Kjerstad had shown promise early in camp this spring before another setback hit. On March 19, he strained his right hamstring while running to first base. Even so, he put together a strong run at Norfolk, batting .289/.337/.462 with 17 doubles, 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 79 games.
The Baltimore Banner first reported that Kjerstad cleared waivers.
Baltimore’s roster count stood at 33 players to start the day, and another familiar name came off the board as well. According to multiple sources, the Orioles declined first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s $7.5 million option, a move that had been expected.
There could be more turnover coming. The Orioles still have a $3.5 million option on reliever Dietrich Enns, and pitchers Kyle Bradish and Ryan Helsley, infielder Jordan Westburg and outfielder Tyler O’Neill all need to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list.
Helsley already made his own decision, exercising his $14 million player option for 2027 after elbow injuries limited him to 17 appearances.
Earlier moves included the Orioles declining outfielder Luis Robert Jr.’s $20 million option and starter Zach Eflin’s $25 million mutual option. Eflin is recovering from elbow-reconstructive surgery.
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