After a whirlwind 24 hours, new dad Heston Kjerstad joins the Orioles

DENVER — Less than 24 hours ago, a dream came true for Heston Kjerstad. And it has nothing to do with being called back up to the majors for the first time this season.

Kjerstad’s wife, Klaire, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Krue, at around 6 p.m. Monday. By Tuesday morning, Kjerstad boarded a flight from Arkansas to Denver to return to the big leagues.

“I can’t even put it into words,” Kjerstad said. “So thankful for my wife. She is doing great. Son is doing great. She was the one who pushed for me to get out of there and go get back to the big leagues, since they called and wanted me to come.”

Kjerstad said he didn’t get much rest overnight. But on the plane headed to Colorado, he fell right asleep. By the time he touched down, he rejoined the Orioles for the first time since June 2025.

He’s one of several additions to the roster, which expanded from 26 players to 28 on Tuesday. Along with Kjerstad, the Orioles activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr., selected the contract of right-hander Albert Suárez and promoted left-hander Luis De León for his major league debut.

Kjerstad is hitting .289 with a .799 on-base-plus-slugging percentage at Triple-A this year. Since July, the 27-year-old is batting .301 with an .889 OPS.

If and when Kjerstad appears in a game, it will mark his season debut. It has not been an easy path for the former first-rounder out of Arkansas. His professional development was delayed by a myocarditis diagnosis, and in 2024, he suffered a concussion when he was hit by a 97-mph fastball to the helmet.

Kjerstad also missed much of 2025, although the circumstances around that are murky. During spring training, Kjerstad declined to detail what he was dealing with at the time.

“[It] probably took me the first part of the offseason to kinda build back some strength and do some things like that to get back to where I wanted to be,” he said in February. “But right now, thankfully, in a great spot right now, full health, ready to roll.”

His numbers for Norfolk, especially over the last two months, have been strong. He could be especially valuable against right-handed pitchers.

“A lot more flexibility, especially adding an impact bat like Heston,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “He’s been through a lot in the calendar year, plus he just had a birth of his first kid a day ago or a couple days ago, so it was a lot for him. He’s finished the Triple-A season strong. We’re excited to have him. Like I said, impact bat. He’s improved defensively on the corners. So it allows us to match up, too.”

On Tuesday, Kjerstad said he has learned that he can persevere through challenges. He’s excited, he said, to be back among friends. And especially excited to help the Orioles in any way down the stretch.

“For me, it’s just, anything I go through, I’ll always bounce back, find a way to get back on top, get back to the type of player I’m capable of being,” he said.

Being here is a testament to Kjerstad’s ability to regroup from a challenging 2025. It also has much to do with Klaire.

“The baseball wives, it’s an understatement as the ‘unsung heroes’ of what we can do here. Heston having his first kid a day ago, then leaving his wife, is a big deal,” Albernaz said.

When the Orioles discussed whether to promote Kjerstad on Tuesday, Albernaz said he was open to the idea of having the outfielder join the team when they return to Baltimore on Thursday. But Klaire Kjerstad was adamant that her husband take his chance.

“Talking with Heston, his wife was more than OK and happy with him going and coming up here and helping,” Albernaz said. “It also helps that his wife is a former Division I volleyball player, so she gets it. In life, you always want to make sure you pick the right partner. And especially in baseball, because it’s a crazy life, so we’re very fortunate that Heston is here and his wife is an absolute superstar.”