Baltimore Orioles DFA Two Players in Roster Shuffle

The Baltimore Orioles have fallen two games back of the New York Yankees atop the AL East Division with a couple of weeks to play, and they're shoring up their roster to try to keep up.

On Sunday, they designated for assignment six-year veteran starting pitcher Cole Irvin, along with utility infielder Nick Maton. In return, they made room for a couple of key players returning from the injured list: one of their top prospects Heston Kjerstad and reliever Jacob Webb.

Jacob Webb & Heston Kjerstad are back the O’s are getting healthy https://t.co/g8qmBrPeg1 pic.twitter.com/utKFC62sPQ
— 𝙆am Brice (@kambrice1tv) September 15, 2024

Kjerstad adds a left-handed power bat back to the lineup; He's been battling concussion issues ever since he was beaned in the head in a game against the Yannkees in mid-July.

Complete chaos in the Yankees-Orioles game as the benches cleared after Heston Kjerstad was hit in the head with a pitch pic.twitter.com/9W3ecV7gKR
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 13, 2024

He had three homers and 12 RBIs with an on-base of .370 and a rousing OPS+ of 130. He had pummeled the minor leagues for 16 HR and 61 RBIs in 62 games earlier this season with .986 OPS. The right fielder was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft.

Webb is in his second season posting solid numbers in the O's bullpen. He has a 3.08 ERA with 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

As for Irvin, he had a 4.86 ERA this season in 25 appearances, 16 of them starts.