Orioles Make Trade After Heston Kjerstad News

As the new MLB season began, Baltimore placed Kjerstad on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. Manager Craig Albernaz has refused to give a timeline for when he may return (h/t The Baltimore Sun).

Just four days after the news that Kjerstad had hit the IL, it was announced Baltimore had acquired a right fielder from the Cleveland Guardians.

Right-handed hitting outfielder Johnathan Rodriquez, who was DFAd by Cleveland before the season began, has been dealt to Baltimore in exchange for minor league relief pitcher Carter Rustad. Cleveland announced the trade on Sunday.

"The Cleveland Guardians have traded OF Johnathan Rodriguez to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league reliever RHP Carter Rustad," the team shared on X.

While he hits from the other side of the plate, Rodriguez provides Baltimore with another option in right field if injuries and poor performance continue following Kjerstad. It hasn't come together for Rodriguez at the big league level, but he has dominated Triple-A pitching.

In 252 games with the Columbus Clippers, Rodriguez owns a .925 OPS with 56 home runs. He profiles more as a right-handed platoon bat at the MLB level, but has hit right-handers well in the minors. With the Guardians having Chase DeLauter burst onto the scene in right field, and prospects like CJ Kayfus, Angel Martinez and others needing looks in the outfield, Rodriguez no longer had a path to playing time.

Ironically, this is the second power-hitting right fielder who has landed in Baltimore after being DFAd by Cleveland. Jhonkensy Noel was picked up by the Orioles this past offseason, and while he did not make the team out of camp, put together a strong Spring Training with a 1.157 OPS in 26 plate appearances.