McKenna was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
McKenna is back for another stint with the big club as Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) goes on the injured list. It's possible he sees a little action versus lefties, but ultimately his playing time figures to be sparse.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Heads to Triple-A
Rotowire
McKenna was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
Though Ryan Mountcastle (shoulder) will avoid the injured list for now, he's banged up enough for the Orioles to desire another power-hitting bat off the bench. Enter Heston Kjerstad, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday to replace the light-hitting McKenna on the 28-man active roster. The 26-year-old McKenna has mustered a .677 OPS across 129 plate appearances for Baltimore this season.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Swipes two bags Tuesday
Rotowire
McKenna went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the White Sox.
The outfielder started the game on the bench but pinch hit for Adam Frazier in the seventh inning and remained in right field, and McKenna got the opportunity to rack up some numbers when the O's offense erupted for eight runs over its final two frames. The 26-year-old has three of his five steals on the season over the last two games along with three hits, four runs and four RBI, but with Baltimore's starting outfield healthy and Aaron Hicks (back) potentially rejoining the lineup in early September, playing time will be hard for McKenna to come by.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Drives in two
Rotowire
McKenna went 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 9-0 win over the White Sox.
McKenna has gone 4-for-15 (.267) over seven contests since he was recalled to the majors to provide outfield depth with Aaron Hicks (back) sidelined. For the year, McKenna is slashing .250/.310/.353 with two home runs, a career-high three steals, 16 RBI, 20 runs scored and six doubles over 132 plate appearances. He'll likely see most of his playing time against southpaws, though he got the nod in left field versus a right-hander (Michael Kopech) for Monday's game.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
McKenna was recalled by the Orioles on Saturday.
McKenna will fill the roster spot vacated by Aaron Hicks, who landed on the injured list with a lower-back strain. McKenna can play all three outfield positions but is unlikely to serve as anything more than a backup considering he owns a .670 OPS at the major-league level this season and a .612 OPS for his career.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Sent back to minors
Rotowire
McKenna was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
McKenna had been playing a little more frequently lately due to the struggles of rookie Colton Cowser, but with Cedric Mullins back from the injured list, his opportunities were going to dry up. McKenna will head to Norfolk and wait for another chance.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Sits in second straight
Rotowire
McKenna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.
McKenna is sitting for the second game in a row while the Orioles continue to lean on a three-man committee consisting of him, Jorge Mateo and Colton Cowser in center field. Cowser will get the nod Tuesday after Mateo went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run while starting in center field in both of the previous two contests.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Picks up steal Friday
Rotowire
McKenna went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 10-3 win over the Mets.
McKenna has gone 3-for-15 (.200) with a walk and two RBI over seven games since he was called up from Triple-A Norfolk. The outfielder is getting a share of playing time in center field while Aaron Hicks (hamstring) and Cedric Mullins (groin) are both out, but that may not last much longer with both of them likely within two weeks of a return. McKenna also has to contend with Colton Cowser for at-bats. For the season, McKenna has a .245/.305/.362 slash line with two home runs, two steals, 13 RBI and 17 runs scored over 107 plate appearances in the majors.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Garners sixth straight start
Rotowire
McKenna will start in left field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Mets.
Even though he's gone 2-for-16 over the Orioles' previous five games, McKenna will pick up his sixth consecutive start in the outfield Sunday. The righty-hitting McKenna has benefited from the Orioles facing four left-handed starting pitchers during the six-game stretch, but he may rank as Baltimore's preferred third outfielder alongside Austin Hays and Anthony Santander while both Cedric Mullins (groin) and Aaron Hicks (hamstring) are on the shelf. Touted prospect Colton Cowser is hitting just .125 in 70 plate appearances since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on July 5 and doesn't appear deserving of a regular role with the big club.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Returns to big leagues
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled McKenna from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.
McKenna has put up a .707 OPS with two home runs and one stolen base over 62 games with the big club this season. He will give the Orioles someone capable of filling in at all three outfield spots, although he ultimately doesn't figure to play much.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
McKenna was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
His roster spot is being absorbed by top prospect Colton Cowser. McKenna has put up a .707 OPS with two home runs and one stolen base over 62 games in a reserve role for the Orioles this season.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Walks it off Saturday
Rotowire
McKenna hit a walk-off two-run home run in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Mariners.
Anthony Santander went 4-for-4 but gave way to McKenna as a defensive replacement late in the game. McKenna then came through on offense, taking Justin Topa deep for the walk-off win. Playing time remains sparse for McKenna -- he has just 11 at-bats over 15 games in June, but he's collected a hit in three of his last four games. The outfielder is at a .250/.391/.395 slash line with two homers, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base over 83 plate appearances. With Cedric Mullins back from a groin injury, McKenna's path to playing time has gotten even tougher, so he'll likely remain a bench bat.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Starting in center field
Rotowire
McKenna is starting in center field and batting eighth on Thursday versus the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
McKenna's playing time usually comes against lefties, but he's getting the call here versus righty Clarke Schmidt. Cedric Mullins will receive a day of rest.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Picks up hit off bench
Rotowire
McKenna (back) went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Baltimore's win over the Angels on Tuesday.
Tuesday's appearance was McKenna's first since May 8, as the outfielder has been out of the lineup due to back troubles. McKenna is out of the starting lineup again Wednesday against the Angels, but he should be available off the bench if necessary.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Available off bench
Rotowire
McKenna (back) said that he's feeling better and will be available off the bench for Sunday's game against the Pirates if needed, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
McKenna said that he began feeling discomfort in his back a few days ago and that he underwent an MRI to determine if there was any structural damage. The 26-year-old will begin Sunday's series finale against the Pirates on the bench, but he could be called on in the later innings, and he should be back for Baltimore in the early portion of next week.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Dealing with back issue
Rotowire
Orioles bench coach Fredi Gonzalez told reporters Saturday that McKenna is currently dealing with a back issue, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Gonzalez told reporters that he's hopeful that McKenna can avoid the injured list, but Joey Ortiz is on the taxi squad just in case. McKenna should be considered day-to-day and isn't likely to be available for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Goes yard for first time in 2023
Rotowire
McKenna went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBI during a 6-4 win over the Tigers in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Getting the start in center field and batting eighth, McKenna provided the O's with what proved to be crucial insurance runs when he launched a two-run shot off Matthew Boyd. McKenna's defensive versatility makes him a valuable fourth outfielder for Baltimore, and he's held his own at the plate so far in 2023 by hitting .276 (8-for-29) with one homer, one steal, five runs and six RBI.
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Orioles' Ryan McKenna: Makes impact off bench
Rotowire
McKenna went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.
McKenna didn't start Wednesday, but he was able to knock in an insurance run in the eighth inning. With Austin Hays (hand) unavailable, McKenna and Terrin Vavra could see a short-term jump in playing time. McKenna has appeared in 16 games, but he has just 22 plate appearances this season. He's hitting .263 with three RBI, two runs scored, two doubles and a stolen base while also often serving as a defensive replacement.
