Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will miss Opening Day due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand, sustained last Friday during batting practice. The 22-year-old is scheduled for surgery on Thursday and faces a recovery timeline of weeks. Team officials are evaluating internal candidates to fill the position during Spring Training in Sarasota, Florida.
On Wednesday, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced that Jackson Holliday broke the hamate bone in his right hand while hitting in the cage last Friday. The injury, common among hitters, requires a procedure on Thursday to remove the bone, placing Holliday on the injured list to start the 2026 season. Opening Day is set for March 26 against the Twins at Camden Yards, and Elias indicated Holliday's return would be measured in weeks afterward.
"It's a pretty common baseball injury for a very long time, happens to hitters a lot and it's nothing concerning long term, but he's going to miss some time," Elias said. Holliday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, solidified his role as Baltimore's everyday second baseman in 2025, slashing .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs over 149 games.
Manager Craig Albernaz expressed sympathy for the setback. "I just feel for Jackson," he said. "He had a great offseason and comes in here early and he's looking great, and a freak thing [happens]. ... But his mindset right now is great."
With Holliday sidelined, the Orioles are considering several options for second base. Jordan Westburg, the projected starting third baseman, has extensive experience at the position (92 starts in 120 games) and could shift over, potentially opening third base for prospect Coby Mayo. Westburg is recovering from a right oblique tweak in late January and is expected to be ready for Opening Day, though he may miss early Grapefruit League games.
Recently acquired utility man Blaze Alexander, 26, obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks, offers versatility across the infield and outfield, with 27 starts at second base in two MLB seasons. Jeremiah Jackson, 25, who hit .276 with a .775 OPS in his 2025 debut, could compete for a bench spot, needing to demonstrate defense at second, third, and right field. Non-roster invitee Weston Wilson, 31, provides infield depth with prior second base experience, though his role would likely expand only with further injuries.
Elias noted the team would discuss Spring Training assignments later that day and remains open to external additions. "We’re actually going to have a meeting about this topic a little later today," he said, adding that internal options suffice for now but they will monitor the market.
Other updates include right-hander Colin Selby's right shoulder inflammation, sidelining him for Opening Day; Félix Bautista's ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery with potential late-2026 return; and Zach Eflin's full participation after back surgery.
