Can Kjerstad play in September for the Orioles? / MAILBAG

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: What is Heston Kjerstad’s status? It seems like he hasn’t been mentioned for a while. Is there still hope for him to join the Orioles in September? From: Randy Rohrbaugh

Answer: Randy, this was a popular question. Paul Ray Williams Jr, Phil Gelso, Russell Turner and others were among those who wondered about Kjerstad. As was reported in Friday morning’s game story, Kjerstad remains in concussion protocol and, according to manager Brandon Hyde, he was feeling better and performing some baseball activities.

Concussions are unlike other injuries. There’s no timeline, no way of predicting a date of return. Kjerstad last played on July 29^th, so he’ll need a rehab assignment when he’s cleared to play. I suppose it’s possible that he can return to the Orioles in late September, but because these injuries are so unpredictable, no one can really know.

Question: In Friday night’s game, Adley Rutschman hit a ball down the first base line, which the umpire called foul. Naturally, he stopped running and headed back to the batter’s box. It was close, so let’s say Brandon Hyde challenges the foul call. Replays determine that it was indeed fair. Where would Adley end up? Any latitude on placing baserunners? If Jorge Mateo is on first with two outs, he easily scores. From: Allen Roody, Owings Mills

Answer: Allen, fair or foul plays can be reviewed if the ball lands past the base. According to MLB: “If replay review results in a change to a call that had been made on the field, the replay official shall exercise his discretion to place both clubs in the position they would have been in had the call on the field been correct.”

I know that doesn’t sound definitive, but they’re probably not going to assume that Jorge Mateo will score from first on a double with two outs.