Heston Kjerstad activated by Orioles after concussion rehab

DETROIT — With just 13 games remaining in the regular season, the Orioles got a big boost on Sunday with the return of Heston Kjerstad.

Baltimore’s former top prospect was back in at designated hitter to start the series finale against the Tigers, and batting in the cleanup spot.

“Having him be a force in the middle of that lineup is something we’ve always envisioned for him, so we’re really excited to have him back today,” hitting coach Ryan Fuller said. “He looks great.”

The 25-year-old has been on the injured list since Aug. 7 (retroactive to Aug. 1) due to symptoms from a concussion he sustained when he was hit by a pitch by Yankees closer Clay Holmes on July 13. Kjerstad was hitting .261 (18-for-69) with 12 RBIs and three home runs at the time of his injury. The O’s are hoping his powerful lefty bat will help the offense gain momentum during a crucial time: Baltimore entered play Sunday just two games behind the American League East-leading Yankees and with a 5 1/2-game lead for the top AL Wild Card spot.

Kjerstad appeared in six rehab games between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, batting .333 (6-for-18) with a double, three RBIs, a run scored and three walks. He was removed from his final rehab game after five innings on Saturday night to make the trip to Detroit, and showed up to the visitors’ clubhouse full of energy, declaring “all I really wanna do is play baseball.”

“Once I was able to go out there on the field and take at-bats, and track the baseball and run down fly balls in the outfield and it felt completely normal like it did earlier in the season, that’s when I was like, ‘I’m good to roll,’” Kjerstad said.

And all Baltimore wants is his bat back in the lineup. Kjerstad has shown he can be explosive in just 41 career games: He slashed .438/.550/.938 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs for a 1.488 OPS during a six-game stint with the Orioles this June, and his addition might be exactly the trigger the O’s need to get on a late-season tear.

“We think any day a guy could show up and change the scoreboard,” Fuller said.

Right-hander Jacob Webb, who had been dealing with right elbow inflammation, also rejoined the team out of the bullpen after spending more than a month on the injured list. Webb, whose elbow was “barking” as he played catch before the O’s games in Toronto on Aug. 6-7, said Sunday that he felt like his elbow was now “in a good spot.”

Webb spent more than a month on the injured list, though the O’s were pleased to find “nothing structurally concerning” after MRIs on his elbow, per general manager Mike Elias. Webb said he was a little surprised that the rehab process took as long as it did, but added that he knew it was more important to make sure the issues were behind him.

After three consecutive scoreless appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, he’s satisfied that’s the case.

“I’m really excited to be part of this team and be able to help however I can,” Webb said. “… I definitely was watching and cheering on my team [during my rehab assignment].”