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Baltimore — Before their matchup at Camden Yards, the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles both made big late acquisitions.

Before beginning a crucial four-game series against Tampa Bay, the Orioles added another elite prospect to their big league squad on Thursday when they brought up outfielder Heston Kjerstad from Triple-A Norfolk. Outfielder Manuel Margot, who had been sidelined by a right elbow issue, was activated by the Rays from the injured list.

“This is something I’ve worked for my whole life, something I’ve thought about,” Kjerstad stated. “To finally be here and be in the moment is awesome so far.”

Following Thursday’s 4-3 series loss, the Orioles’ advantage over Tampa Bay atop the American League East was reduced to one game. In the eighth, Kjerstad batted in as a pinch hitter but was unsuccessful.

As the second overall pick in the 2020 amateur draft, Kjerstad now stands at 49th in ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel’s most recent list of the top 50 prospects. Over 76 games at Norfolk, he hit.298 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.

After slugger Ryan Mountcastle departed Wednesday night’s game against St. Louis due to a shoulder ailment, the Orioles summoned him up. According to manager Brandon Hyde, the squad received “great news” on Mountcastle on Thursday, and he is feeling much better.

Along with choosing Kjerstad’s contract, Baltimore optioned left-hander Nick Vespi and outfielder Ryan McKenna to Norfolk and recalled right-handed reliever Bryan Baker.

Utilityman Terrin Vavra was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Orioles due to a strained right shoulder after being summoned from Norfolk.

Adley Rutschman, a second-year catcher, and Gunnar Henderson, a rookie infielder, lead the Baltimore team that Kjerstad is joining. Two of the Orioles’ most highly anticipated prospects this season are infielder Jordan Westburg and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.

“It happens with good teams with good farm systems,” Hyde stated. “In Triple-A, Heston has had an extremely good year. Observing him remotely has been enjoyable.

For the Rays this season, Margot has a.249 batting average in 85 games. He comes back to a squad that, in spite of the absence of numerous important players, has managed to keep close to the Orioles.

“I believe he is perfect in every way—perhaps the