Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will not be available for Opening Day after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand, general manager Mike Elias announced on Wednesday. The injury occurred during batting practice last week, and Holliday will begin the season on the injured list.
Details of Injury and Recovery Expectations
According to Elias, the hamate bone injury is a common issue among baseball hitters, with no long-term concerns expected.
“It’s a pretty common baseball injury for a very long time,”
Elias said, as reported by MASN Sports. He added,
“It happens to hitters a lot. It’s nothing concerning long term, but he’s going to miss some time. Won’t be ready for Opening Day and hopefully his return is measured in weeks after that, but you’re not going to see much of him here in Sarasota.”
Jackson Holliday, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, played in 60 games last season and batted .242 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs over 149 games. His injury timing will delay his participation in spring training activities as well.
Additional Player Updates from Baltimore Orioles
General manager Mike Elias also provided an update on third baseman Jordan Westburg, who is recovering from a right oblique strain. Westburg’s return to spring training games will be slower, but Elias confirmed that he is not expected to miss any regular-season action.
“He’s turned the corner and he’s in the process of getting fully better,”
Elias told reporters.
Impact on Orioles’ Spring and Regular Season Prospects
Holliday’s absence on Opening Day is a significant setback for the Orioles, given his status as an important young talent following his recent arrival in the major leagues. Meanwhile, Westburg’s managed recovery may help stabilize the infield as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The Orioles will be monitoring both players closely as they aim to maintain competitive depth throughout spring training and into the regular season.
