Baltimore Orioles Send Highly Regarded Prospect to Injured List With New Setback

By [Your Name] | April 23, 2025

The Baltimore Orioles have built their rebuild around elite prospects, and few have generated as much excitement as outfielder Heston Kjerstad. But on Tuesday, the club was dealt another tough blow. The team announced that Kjerstad, a consensus top-50 prospect in all of baseball, has been placed on the injured list following a new setback that has raised concerns about his long-term durability and future with the organization.

A Rising Star Sidetracked Again

Heston Kjerstad, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arkansas, was once projected to be a middle-of-the-order anchor in Baltimore’s emerging powerhouse lineup. His sweet left-handed swing and raw power made him a can’t-miss prospect when the Orioles selected him, even ahead of eventual superstar Max Meyer and several other high-upside players.

But Kjerstad’s road to the majors has been anything but smooth. After missing the entire 2021 season with myocarditis—a rare heart condition—Kjerstad spent much of 2022 and 2023 playing catch-up. Despite finally breaking through with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League and Triple-A Norfolk, injuries have continued to follow him.

Now, another obstacle stands in his way. According to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, Kjerstad suffered a setback involving his left hamstring during pregame warmups last weekend. The injury, initially considered day-to-day, was later diagnosed as a moderate strain after imaging results came back. The team opted to shut him down and placed him on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday.

“It’s Frustrating for Him and for Us”

Hyde addressed the media prior to Tuesday night’s home game against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he expressed disappointment in the situation while remaining hopeful for a full recovery.

“It’s frustrating for him and for us,” Hyde said. “He worked incredibly hard to get back to this point. The plan was for him to be an important piece for us this year. Unfortunately, these things happen. We just have to give him time and make sure he’s 100 percent before he returns.”

The Orioles are understandably taking a cautious approach, especially given Kjerstad’s injury history. After his myocarditis scare, hamstring issues, and previous wrist inflammation last season, rushing him back would risk turning a minor issue into a chronic one.

Early Season Hype, Interrupted

Before the injury, Kjerstad had been turning heads in spring training and the early part of the season with Triple-A Norfolk. Through 16 games, he was batting .324 with 4 home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .974 OPS. His plate discipline had also improved—one of the last elements of his game that scouts said needed polishing.

In fact, whispers had already begun circulating in early April that Kjerstad could be the first man up if the Orioles needed an outfield reinforcement. With the team sitting atop the AL East and showing signs of being a legitimate contender, it seemed only a matter of time before he’d get the call.

But now, that timetable has been pushed back again.

Orioles’ Depth Will Be Tested

Baltimore has been blessed with an influx of young, homegrown talent in recent years. Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, Colton Cowser, and Jordan Westburg have all contributed to the team’s turnaround. The club has relied heavily on its deep farm system, which was ranked No. 1 in baseball in 2023 and remains in the top five entering 2025.

Yet the Orioles’ outfield depth will now be tested. Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays remain staples, but both have dealt with injuries of their own in past seasons. Kyle Stowers, another promising bat, is currently in a minor slump. That leaves Cowser and recently recalled Dylan Beavers as the most likely beneficiaries of Kjerstad’s absence.

Beavers, the 2022 first-round pick out of Cal, has been productive in Norfolk and brings solid power-speed upside. If he can get hot at the plate, it might buy Kjerstad even more time to recover fully without the pressure of rushing back.

Setbacks Becoming a Pattern?

For Kjerstad, this latest injury adds to a concerning pattern. Though he’s only 26, he’s already missed significant developmental time. When healthy, his bat has never been a question—he boasts a career .298 minor league average with an OPS north of .850. However, the availability factor is starting to raise red flags among scouts and executives.

One American League scout, speaking anonymously, noted:

“It’s a shame. The kid has real tools—easy power, good bat-to-ball skills. But teams want guys they can count on, and it’s tough when the injuries keep piling up. It doesn’t mean he won’t still become a solid big leaguer, but his window is tighter now.”

Even Orioles fans, while still optimistic, are feeling the fatigue of waiting. Some have taken to social media to voice their concern, comparing Kjerstad to other high-upside players who struggled to stay on the field—like Byron Buxton or former Oriole prospect Hunter Harvey.

Kjerstad Responds on Instagram

Shortly after the team’s announcement, Kjerstad took to Instagram with a message that seemed both hopeful and self-aware:

“Setbacks are part of the journey. Appreciate all the love and support. I’ll be back stronger. #Birdland #GrindMode”

The post was flooded with support from teammates, fans, and fellow MLB players alike, including a comment from Gunnar Henderson: “Can’t wait to see you back, bro. Keep pushing.”

What’s Next?

The Orioles have not yet provided a definitive timetable for Kjerstad’s return, but given the typical recovery for a hamstring strain, a 3-to-4 week absence seems likely. The club will reevaluate him after 10 days, but he’ll likely need a short rehab assignment before rejoining Triple-A—or making the leap to the majors.

In the meantime, Baltimore will look for other ways to maintain their early-season momentum. The team entered this week with a 14–6 record, good enough for first place in the division. Despite missing some of their top young talent, the Orioles are showing resilience and depth—a testament to the front office’s long-term vision.

The Big Picture

Injuries are part of the game, and for young players, they can be especially demoralizing. But they don’t have to define a career. History is full of players who battled early adversity before eventually finding their groove. Orioles fans need only look at Trey Mancini or even the late bloom of Anthony Santander for inspiration.

For now, the Kjerstad saga enters another chapter—one filled with questions, but not devoid of hope. He remains a vital part of the Orioles’ plans, and if he can put the injury bug behind him, his breakout moment could still be right around the corner.

As the team continues to chase a playoff berth—and perhaps a deep October run—Baltimore will continue to monitor Kjerstad’s recovery closely. The Orioles have been patient thus far. They know that if he gets healthy, Heston Kjerstad has the potential to be a difference-maker.

And in a division as brutal as the AL East, having a bat like his waiting in the wings could be the difference between a nice season—and a special one.

Sidebar: Orioles Injury Tracker