Orioles’ Kjerstad starting rehab assignment with Chesapeake; Alexander’s calf better; O’s-Athletics starting lineups

BALTIMORE—Outfielder/designated hitter Heston Kjerstad, who’s been on the injured list with a strained right hamstring muscle, will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday night.

Kjerstad, who injured the hamstring at the end of spring training, hasn’t played this season. In spring training, he hit .195 with two home runs and four RBIs.

“He had a great camp,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “I think everyone knows the power and the hit tool are real. That was very evident. What impressed me were the strides he made defensively in the outfield in left and right.

“He did a great job of adjusting to different depths, the pre-pitch, the jump. He did a great job.”

Kjerstad will join second baseman Jackson Holliday with the Baysox. Holliday, who’s continuing his rehab after surgery to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist, is hitless in four at-bats in two games in his third rehab stint; the other two ended because of pain in the hand. Holliday walked three times on Friday night.

Kjerstad’s rehab assignment can last up to 20 days.

Alexander feeling better

Infielder Blaze Alexander is not in the Orioles’ lineup for the second straight game. Alexander was a late scratch from Friday night’s game with a strained right calf muscle.

“He seems like he’s feeling better today,” Albernaz said. “He got some good treatment in last night during the game, and this morning as well.”

The Orioles have infielder José Barreo on the taxi squad in case Alexander isn’t ready to play. Barrero is hitting .243 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs at Triple-A Norfolk.

Orioles-Athletics lineups

Orioles

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Taylor Ward-LF

Adley Rutschman-C

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-DH

Leody Taveras-CF

Dylan Beavers–RF

Coby Mayo-3B

Jeremiah Jackson-2B

Shane Baz-RHP

Athletics

Nick Kurtz-1B

Shea Langeliers-C

Tyler Soderstrom-LF

Brent Rooker-DH

Carlos Cortes-RF

Jacob Wilson-SS

Lawrence Butler-CF

Zach Gelof-3B

Jeff McNeil-2B

Aaron Civale-RHP

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