Jackson Holliday, the talented second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, is set to begin the 2026 season on the injured list after undergoing surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. This unfortunate injury occurred during live batting practice on February 6, as announced by Mike Elias, the president of baseball operations, to the media this morning. It is expected that Holliday will be sidelined for several weeks, which is a significant blow considering his potential and previous performance.
In addition to Holliday’s injury, infielder Jordan Westburg is also dealing with an oblique injury sustained during training three weeks ago. Fortunately, he is anticipated to miss only the initial few games of the Grapefruit League season, and there are no current concerns regarding his availability for Opening Day. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Colin Selby is facing inflammation in his right shoulder and is also expected to start the season on the injured list.
Among these injuries, Holliday's situation stands out the most. As a former No. 1 overall draft pick and a highly regarded prospect, he was poised to take the second base position after a promising season where he posted a batting average of .242 along with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases during his age-21 year with the Orioles. With him out of the lineup, the team will likely rely on a mix of new acquisition Blaze Alexander and utility player Jeremiah Jackson at second base. Alternatively, they might consider shifting Westburg to second base and letting Coby Mayo step in at third base as the season begins.
Interestingly, many fans speculated on social media that Holliday’s injury was a primary reason behind Baltimore's recent trade for Alexander from the Diamondbacks. However, it’s important to point out that Holliday’s injury happened just a day after the trade was finalized, indicating that the timing was purely coincidental. While there may have been some concern regarding Westburg's oblique issue at that time, Holliday's condition did not influence that trade decision.
Hamate fractures, such as the one Holliday suffered, are not uncommon among athletes. Notable players like Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll are currently navigating similar challenges due to hamate injuries. Typically, recovery from surgery for such fractures can require anywhere from four to eight weeks. Post-recovery, players often experience lingering effects on their power hitting capabilities, although each case varies significantly. If Holliday indeed lands on the injured list, this will mark the first major league stint on the injured list in his young career.
As for Selby, his future remains somewhat uncertain. Acquired from the Kansas City Royals in a trade last July, he spent the remainder of that season and most of 2025 in Triple-A. Despite that, the 28-year-old righty made a solid impression in the majors with 14 innings pitched over 11 appearances, maintaining a 3.21 ERA by allowing only five runs on 16 hits, alongside 14 strikeouts. At the Triple-A level, he showcased even better numbers with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 31.5% of opposing hitters.
With Selby now on the injured list, the competition for spots in the Orioles' bullpen has opened up, potentially benefiting left-handed pitcher Grant Wolfram, righty Yaramil Hiraldo, or out-of-options right-hander Rico Garcia. Additionally, Chayce McDermott, who has previously started games, will transition to a relief role this season, as confirmed by Elias. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells is also working towards building up as a starter. While there isn't a clear spot in the rotation for him at the moment, this preparation will serve as insurance against any possible rotation injuries. Depending on how things unfold, Wells may either start the season in long relief or with Triple-A Norfolk, as he still has two minor league options available.
