Benches cleared during the Baltimore Orioles’ clash against the New York Yankees on Friday night after Heston Kjerstad was hit in the head by an errant sinker from closer Clay Holmes in the bottom of the ninth inning.
On Saturday, Kjerstad, who had been removed from the game and replaced by pinch-runner Austin Hays, was scratched from the lineup. Hays took his spot in the batting order, and the Orioles later announced that the rookie outfielder had been placed on the 7-day concussion IL.
Kjerstad was initially expected to play on Saturday, but he reported not feeling 100% during his pre-game routine. Consequently, the team decided to be cautious, scratching him from the lineup and placing him on the 7-day IL. Kjerstad will be eligible to return next Saturday, after the All-Star break, when Baltimore takes on the Texas Rangers.
In a corresponding roster move, the Orioles recalled outfielder Kyle Stowers from Triple-A Norfolk to fill Kjerstad’s spot.
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The incident on Friday night, which led to a benches-clearing confrontation between the AL East rivals, was a dramatic moment.
Clay Holmes, the Yankees’ closer, maintained that the pitch had unintentionally gotten away from him. He emphasized that he would never intentionally throw at a batter’s head and expressed his hope that Kjerstad would be okay.
“Hitting someone in the head is never something you intend to do,” Holmes said. “I hope Heston is all right and recovers quickly. It’s a scary moment for everyone involved.”
Kjerstad, 25, has been a standout since returning to MLB this season after a brief stint late in 2023. In 21 games, he has impressed with a .314 batting average, a .417 on-base percentage, and a .529 slugging percentage, along with three home runs and 12 RBIs. His performance has been a bright spot for the Orioles, and his absence will be felt as he recovers.
The Orioles and Yankees have a long history of intense matchups, and Friday’s game added another chapter to their rivalry. The benches-clearing incident underscored the high stakes and emotions involved in their contests. Both teams will be looking to move past the altercation and focus on their upcoming games as they continue to battle for positioning in the competitive AL East.
As the All-Star break approaches, the Orioles hope to have Kjerstad back in the lineup soon. His recovery will be closely monitored, and fans are eager to see him return to his impressive form.
In the meantime, Kyle Stowers will have an opportunity to step up and contribute to the team’s success.
