A Hamate Bone Fracture Sets Back Orioles' Jackson Holliday
The Baltimore Orioles' second baseman, Jackson Holliday, will unfortunately start the 2026 season on the injured list. This setback is due to a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, an injury sustained during a live batting practice session on February 6th. The team's president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, broke the news to the beat this morning, and it's expected that Holliday will be out for the first few weeks of the season.
But here's where it gets controversial... Holliday's injury has sparked speculation among fans, with many jumping to the conclusion that it influenced the Orioles' recent trade acquisition of Blaze Alexander from the Diamondbacks. However, the timing of the trade and the injury was purely coincidental. Holliday suffered the fracture the day after the Alexander trade was finalized, so it had no bearing on the team's decision-making.
Hamate fractures are more common than one might think. Current stars like Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll are also dealing with similar injuries, and the recovery process typically takes between four to eight weeks. These types of hand injuries can have long-lasting effects on a player's power output, but each case is unique, and we can only speculate on the potential impact on Holliday's performance.
This will be Holliday's first major league IL placement, a significant setback for a player who was expected to open the season at second base. Last year, at just 21 years old, Holliday hit .242/.314/.375 with 17 homers and 17 steals, showcasing his potential as a top prospect and former No. 1 pick.
The Orioles now face the challenge of filling the second base position. Options include trade acquisition Blaze Alexander and utilityman Jeremiah Jackson. Alternatively, the team could move Westburg to second base and give Coby Mayo some playing time at third base to start the season.
And this is the part most people miss... the Orioles also have other injury concerns. Infielder Jordan Westburg suffered an oblique injury three weeks ago during training, but the team is optimistic about his recovery and doesn't anticipate any issues with his Opening Day status. Right-hander Colin Selby is dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder and is also expected to start the season on the injured list.
Selby's injury opens up opportunities for other players in the team's Opening Day bullpen competition. Lefty Grant Wolfram, right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo, and out-of-options right-hander Rico Garcia could all benefit from this development. Right-hander Chayce McDermott, who has primarily been a starter, will also be used as a reliever this season, according to Elias. Right-hander Tyler Wells, meanwhile, will build up as a starter, providing much-needed depth in case of rotation injuries.
So, what do you think? Is the Orioles' season already off to a rocky start with these injuries? Or do you believe they have the depth and talent to overcome these setbacks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
