Orioles’ Craig Albernaz Shares Heston Kjerstad Injury Update at Spring Training

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Charlie O'Keefe | Last updated Mar 21, 2026 4:42 PM ET

The Baltimore Orioles entered 2026 with a chip on their shoulder after an underwhelming 2025 season, which was reflected in their busy offseason as they set their sights on competing for a division title in the American League East.

But it's been an injury-riddled Spring Training for the Orioles, and on Saturday manager Craig Albernaz announced that outfielder Heston Kjerstad is experiencing tightness in his right hamstring.

In 42 Spring Training plate appearances this year, Kjerstad has a .195 batting average and a .605 OPS. Kjerstad hasn't appeared in a Spring Training game since Thursday as a result of his hamstring tightness, though, and Albernaz said that the outfielder would need to get imaging done back in Baltimore this week (h/t Jake Rill, MLB.com).

Heston Kjerstad is dealing with right hamstring tightness and will get imaging done when the Orioles get to Baltimore, manager Craig Albernaz said
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) March 21, 2026

Kjerstad was drafted out of the University of Arkansas with the second overall pick in 2020, but he didn't appear in any minor league games for the Orioles until 2022 as he was dealing with myocarditis, which causes heart inflammation. After recovering from myocarditis Kjerstad blossomed in the minor leagues, boasting an OPS above .900 in both 2023 and 2024.

The 27-year-old was a consensus top 100 prospect for years, ranking as high as the #32 prospect in all of baseball in 2024 (h/t MLB Pipeline), but he has yet to find steady success at the major league level. In 2025, Kjerstad had a .192 batting average and a .566 OPS in 54 major league games.

The latest injury could be yet another unfortunate setback for Kjerstad, who already wasn't a certainty to make the Opening Day roster for Baltimore as he still has a minor league option remaining.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (13)© Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

As it stands, Kjerstad's hamstring trouble is a blow to the Orioles' depth more than anything else: Jordan Westburg will miss at least the first month of the season with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, Jackson Holliday will open the season on the IL as his right hamate bone continues to recover and Dylan Beavers is experiencing discomfort in his right knee just days before the season is set to begin.

Even without his latest setback, Kjerstad was unlikely to see significant playing time for the Orioles in April.

But his teammates' untimely injuries suggest that the Orioles will need to lean on their depth players earlier in the season than expected, and given his prospect pedigree Kjerstad is sure to factor into that on some level if his imaging comes back clean.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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