DENVER -- Heston Kjerstad is back in the big leagues. And Luis De León is here for the first time, too.
The Orioles called up 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. The moves were part of a lengthy series of transactions made by Baltimore as active rosters expanded from 26 players to 28.
Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (who was claimed off outright waivers from the Mets on Monday) was added to the roster. So was right-hander Albert Suárez, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.
The O's placed outfielder Christian Franklin on the 10-day injured list with left hand inflammation and optioned left-hander Cade Povich -- who threw five innings of one-run ball in a spot start during Monday's 2-1 win at Colorado -- back to Triple-A.
Right-hander Cameron Weston and left-hander Nick Raquet were designated for assignment to make room for De León and Suárez on the 40-man roster.
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.
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, was 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.