O's to call up OF Kjerstad, LHP De León (No. 7 prospect) as rosters expand (sources)
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DENVER -- Heston Kjerstad is heading back to the big leagues. And Luis De León is on his way there for the first time.
The Orioles are set to recall both Kjerstad and De León (the team's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline) from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Tuesday night's game vs. the Rockies at Coors Field, sources confirmed to MLB.com. The club has not announced the transactions.
MLB active rosters are expanding from 26 players to 28 on Tuesday. Baltimore is also expected to add outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (who was claimed off outright waivers from the Mets on Monday) to the roster. The club will need to make a corresponding move for that transaction.
The O's appear to be making quite a large series of moves. Left-hander Cade Povich was optioned to Triple-A after tossing five innings of one-run ball in Monday's 2-1 win at Colorado, according to a source. Also, right-hander Albert Suárez is in Denver and could be recalled, per a source.
Kjerstad, 27, was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and a former top prospect. The University of Arkansas product played 106 games for the O's from 2023-25, hitting .218 with eight doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and a .649 OPS.
However, Kjerstad has not appeared in a big league game since June 6, 2025. Last year, he was optioned back to Triple-A and then did not play in a game there after July 25 due to an undisclosed medical issue.
This year, Kjerstad began the season on the injured list due to a right hamstring strain. Once he recovered, he was again optioned to Triple-A on May 28.
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Kjerstad hit .289 with 17 doubles, one triple, 11 homers, 44 RBIs and a .799 OPS in 79 Triple-A games this year. His left-handed power is his greatest tool, and it could be valuable to the Orioles (69-69) as they look to continue their push for the postseason in September.
De León, 23, is getting called up to the big leagues for the first time. The Barahona, Dominican Republic, native had a 6.50 ERA in seven games (three starts) at Triple-A this season after recording a 4.33 ERA in 19 starts at Double-A Chesapeake.
In mid-August, the O's moved De León to a relief role at Norfolk so that he could potentially provide bullpen help for the stretch run in the big leagues. He had a 9.82 ERA in 3 2/3 innings over four relief outings.