While hoping to turn the page from an injury-plagued 2025 that contributed to a last-place finish, the Orioles have already lost one of their talented young players for Opening Day.
Speaking to reporters on the first official day of workouts in Sarasota, president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced second baseman Jackson Holliday will begin the season on the injured list after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand while taking live batting practice last week. Holliday will undergo surgery to have the hamate bone removed Thursday, a procedure that often carries a recovery timetable of six to eight weeks. The early timing of the injury should help minimize the number of regular-season games missed, but it’s a very challenging development for a talented 22-year-old who will now miss all of spring training in his quest to take the next step in 2026.
In his first full season in the majors last year, Holliday batted .242 with 17 home runs, 21 doubles, three triples, 55 RBIs, 17 stolen bases, and a .690 on-base plus slugging percentage in 649 plate appearances.
Elias said the injury occurred the day after Baltimore acquired utility infielder Blaze Alexander, who will now figure to play a more prominent early-season role for his new club. The Orioles could also turn to Jeremiah Jackson or elect to move third baseman Jordan Westburg to second in Holliday’s absence, which would create opportunities for Coby Mayo to play third base. Of course, such an alignment would prompt fair questions about compromising the defense after Mayo devoted nearly all of his focus on playing first base over the course of the 2025 season.
In other injury news, Elias revealed Westburg is likely to miss some early Grapefruit League games as he recovers from an oblique strain, but his Opening Day status is not expected to be in danger. Westburg will turn 27 next week and was limited to 85 games last year because of multiple injuries.
Elias also said starting pitcher Zach Eflin is throwing bullpen sessions and participating fully at the start of camp, which puts him in play to be part of the Opening Day rotation. Eflin underwent back surgery last August and re-signed on a one-year, $10 million contract in late December.
