Stowers on latest return to Orioles and home run record with Triple-A Norfolk

Kyle Stowers has a locker inside Camden Yards again. He’s just doesn’t know for how long.

That’s typical with Stowers going back and forth between the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk, but the current situation is more unusual due to the timing of it.

Stowers was recalled yesterday with Heston Kjerstad placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. The All-Star break begins on Monday and Kjerstad is eligible to return Saturday in Texas.

Kjerstad could miss only three games, which leaves Stowers more unsure about the duration of his stay and whether he plays. He’s out of the lineup again this morning.

“Obviously, the reality of life is you never know what the next day holds, right?” Stowers said. “The only thing God promises us is today, so just trying to take care of today and then we’ll handle tomorrow when it comes.”

Stowers is batting .235/.317/.554 with 15 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 246 plate appearances with Norfolk. He posted a .364 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage this month, and he hit five home runs in his last 13 games.

“I felt like I was playing decent,” he said. “You guys hear me talk. I always expect more out of myself. It’s getting back to having everyday at-bats and started hitting some homers and driving in runs and drawing walks. I was doing some good things.”

Stowers has appeared in 17 games with the Orioles and gone 10-for-35 with four doubles and a home run. He collected eight hits in his last seven starts before being optioned June 19 while the Orioles selected infielder Nick Maton’s contract from Norfolk.

Jordan Westburg was day-to-day with a bruised hip and the club needed Maton close.

“I was just playing the game,” Stowers said. “I wasn’t trying to do too much. I was just having fun and competing. I think I was able to harness that level of intensity and use it as an enhancer, the adrenaline, in ways I hadn’t prior. I was very pleased with how I played during my time up here.”

Another option to Norfolk would return Stowers to the place where he’s hit 56 home runs to set the career franchise record. He’s appeared  in 238 games over parts of four seasons.

Dubious, indeed.

“It’s an interesting one to hold, right?” he said. “Definitely spent more time there than I maybe anticipated, but at the same time all you can do is play where your feet are. And you always want to play well.

“I’ve been able to perform pretty well in my time at Norfolk and so I’m happy with that.”

* As expected, the Orioles aren't listing their starters for the series against the Rangers in Arlington that opens the second half.

They could do some rearranging with the time off. And they might need to replace Cade Povich, who was optioned yesterday, though they have an off-day on July 22.

For the Yankees

Ben Rice 1B
Juan Soto RF
Aaron Judge DH
Alex Verdugo LF
Gleyber Torres 2B
Austin Wells CF
Anthony Volpe SS
Trent Grisham CF
Oswaldo Cabrera 3B

Carlos Rodón LHP