On Tuesday, the Orioles get to add two players when the roster expands to 28. One can be a pitcher, the other a position player. Let’s take a look at some of the options for those 27th and 28th players on their roster.

Position Players:

Jeremiah Jackson

Jackson was sent to Triple-A Norfolk on August 19th when catcher Samuel Basallo was activated from the 10-day injured list.

At the time, Jackson was hitless in his last 25 at-bats and hadn’t had a hit since July 20th.

Jackson had lost playing time to Jackson Holliday, and his average had dropped to .226. He has shown power, hitting seven home runs and driving in 39 runs, but walked only eight times in 248 plate appearances.

He can serve as an extra infielder and with Tyler O’Neill on the IL with a right shoulder injury, can also be an additional right-handed hitting outfielder.

Heston Kjerstad

It’s somewhat amazing that Kjerstad, who missed the first six weeks of the season with a hamstring injury, hasn’t found his way back to the Orioles this season.

He’s had a productive year at Triple-A Norfolk, hitting .283 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs and a .790 OPS.

The Orioles already have two left-handed hitting outfielders, Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser, and a switch-hitter, Leody Taveras.

Kjerstad isn’t a plus defender, and the Orioles would probably have to use him as a designated hitter.

He’ll be out of options after this season, and the team could look to deal him.

Kjerstad hasn’t played in the major leagues since last June 6th and hit only .192 with four homers and 19 RBIs in 54 games. In 2024, he was hitting .314 when he was beaned by the New York Yankees’ Clay Holmes, and has struggled in the majors since then.

Enrique Bradfield Jr.

The Orioles’ No. 1 draft pick in 2023, Bradfield must be put on the 40-man roster in November. Bradfield has hit .266 with a .700 OPS. He’s the 18th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline while Baseball America ranks him No. 21.

Another left-handed swinger, Bradfield has just three home runs and 27 RBIs. He could be helpful as an extra outfielder and pinch-runner. Bradfield has stolen 26 bases in 30 attempts.

It seems more likely that Bradfield or Kjerstad would be added if the Orioles’ playoff chances lessened.

Pitchers

Félix Bautista

The Orioles were fortunate enough to get Blaze Alexander back from the injured list for Friday night’s game against the Athletics, and they’re hoping to get Bautista back soon.

He had rotator cuff and labrum surgery in August 2025. Bautista has pitched twice, once for Double-A Chesapeake, and on Thursday for Norfolk. He retired three Durham batters on just 10 pitches, seven strikes.

It will be interesting to see if the Orioles bring him back sooner than Tuesday or give him extra work. Once he’s back, they’ll probably avoid back-to-back outings at first as they did in the early part of the 2025 season when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Luis De Léon

The Orioles could use another left-hander in the bullpen, and last week decided that De Léon, their No. 7 prospect, should work in the bullpen in case the team needed him there in September.

It hasn’t been an easy adjustment. He’s walked six in 3 2/3 innings. On Friday, he allowed three runs on three hits, two home runs and a walk while retiring only two batters for the Tides.

Cade Povich

Povich could be an interesting addition if the Orioles decided to go with six starters. He’s had only six appearances, five starts for the Orioles with a 2-1 record and 4.45 ERA.

At Norfolk, he’s 2-4 with a 5.68 ERA in 11 games. On Tuesday, he limited Durham to two hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 11.

The Orioles need to decide whether Povich is a starter or reliever, and if he’s a candidate for their 2027 rotation.

Trey Gibson

The Orioles haven’t seen Gibson since the Chicago White Sox tagged him for eight runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings on June 30th. In eight games, Gibson was 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA.

At Norfolk, Gibson’s record is 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA.

Last year’s organizational minor league pitcher of the year, Gibson is now the No. 17 prospect, and is the eighth-ranked pitcher. Baseball America ranks him 14th.

Could it be someone else?

Some non-contending teams could put high-priced players on waivers, and if they’re claimed by Monday would be eligible for the postseason roster. Perhaps the Orioles could find a left-handed reliever that way.

This week, the Cincinnati Reds reportedly placed third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl on waivers, but they went unclaimed and stayed with Cincinnati.

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