Carlson has continued to produce at Triple-A, slashing .300/.462/.425 with one home run and three steals in 12 games. Meanwhile, Heston Kjerstad is slashing .216/.231/.351 in 39 plate appearances at the MLB level with 11 strikeouts and no walks. Kjerstad is going to need to start producing soon, or the Orioles could give Carlson another chance.

Carlson is back to the minors after the Orioles activated Gunnar Henderson (side) off the injured list. Carlson will be up and down without a regular role barring something unforeseeable.

Carlson was called up on Monday when Colston Cowser (fractured thumb) went on the IL and did get two pinch-hit appearances, but today will be his first start of the season. He had gone 3-for-7 with a home run and two walks in two games at Triple-A and will be battling Heston Kjerstad for at-bats while Cowser is out. For Thursday, both will be in the lineup with Tyler O’Neill shifting to DH and Ryan Mountcastle taking a day off.

Colton Cowser landed on the 10-day IL with a fractured thumb, which led to Carlson’s promotion. Carlson hit .321 with two home runs and nine RBI in 18 spring training games and is off to a strong start in Triple-A, but we would assume that Hesotn Kjerstad gets the first chance to take Cowser’s spot in the lineup with Carlson serving as the bench outfielder.