Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will begin the 2026 season on the injured list after undergoing surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. The injury occurred during live batting practice on February 6, as confirmed by Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias. Holliday is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, marking the first significant injury-related absence of his major league career. This development comes as a setback for the promising young player who had been projected to start at second base.
Additional Injuries Affecting Orioles’ Roster
Alongside Holliday, other key players are also managing injuries as the season approaches. Infielder Jordan Westburg sustained an oblique strain about three weeks ago during training but is only anticipated to miss the first few games of Grapefruit League play. The team currently has no concerns about Westburg’s availability for Opening Day. Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Colin Selby is dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder, which will likely place him on the injured list at the season’s start, creating some uncertainty around his early season contributions.
Impact of Holliday’s Injury on Orioles’ Infield Plans
Holliday’s injury has significant implications for the Orioles’ infield configuration. The former No. 1 overall draft pick and top prospect hit .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases during his age-21 campaign last year, earning the starting second base role. With Holliday sidelined, Baltimore will likely rely on a mix of trade acquisition Blaze Alexander and utility player Jeremiah Jackson to fill the position. Alternatively, Westburg could shift to second base, and Coby Mayo might see more playing time at third base to adjust the lineup.
There has been speculation among fans that Baltimore’s recent trade to acquire Blaze Alexander from the Arizona Diamondbacks was motivated by Holliday’s injury. However, the timeline indicates otherwise, as Holliday’s hamate fracture occurred the day after the deal was finalized. While the team may have considered Westburg’s oblique problem when arranging the trade, Holliday’s injury did not influence that transaction.
Understanding Hamate Fractures and Their Effects on Players
Injuries to the hamate bone are fairly common in baseball, with players like Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll currently dealing with similar issues. Surgery for these fractures generally results in a recovery period lasting between four and eight weeks. Players returning from this injury sometimes face lingering challenges with power hitting, although each case varies. For Holliday, this IL placement marks a new chapter in managing his health as a rising star.
Colin Selby’s Status and the Pitching Staff Outlook
Colin Selby’s inflammation issue adds another layer of complexity to the Orioles’ pitching staff. Acquired from the Kansas City Royals in July 2024, Selby spent much of last year in Triple-A before demonstrating effective relief appearances in the majors. Over 11 games and 14 innings, he posted a solid 3.21 ERA with 14 strikeouts, complementing his strong Triple-A performance of a 2.45 ERA with a 31.5% strikeout rate. His placement on the injured list opens a roster spot and increases competition within the bullpen.
Opening Day Bullpen Prospects and Rotation Developments
With Selby sidelined, pitchers such as left-hander Grant Wolfram, righties Yaramil Hiraldo and Rico Garcia, and reliever Chayce McDermott could capitalize on the opportunity to earn spots in the Orioles’ bullpen. Notably, McDermott, who previously worked as a starter, will be utilized as a reliever this season according to Elias. Meanwhile, right-hander Tyler Wells is preparing to serve as a starter but faces no immediate rotation vacancy. He may begin the year either in a long relief capacity or with Triple-A Norfolk, where he can remain ready to step into the rotation if needed. Wells still retains two minor league options, providing the team with roster flexibility.
Season Outlook and Implications for the Orioles
The start of the 2026 campaign finds Baltimore managing key injuries to promising players like Jackson Holliday and Colin Selby, which will test the depth and versatility of the roster. How the team navigates the early weeks without Holliday at second base and adjusts its bullpen composition could influence its competitive position. Monitoring the recoveries of these players will be crucial, as their returns can bolster Baltimore’s prospects in the middle of the season and beyond.
Jackson Holliday broke a bone in his hand on Feb. 6 during live BP. He'll have surgery tomorrow to remove the Hamate bone. The Orioles second baseman will miss opening day
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) February 11, 2026
Jordan Westburg tweaked oblique 3 weeks ago. May miss first few exhibition games #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 11, 2026
Reliever Colin Selby is dealing with shoulder inflammation that’s expected to force him to begin the season on the injured list, Orioles’ Mike Elias announced.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) February 11, 2026
Mike Elias said Tyler Wells will prep as a starter. Chayce McDermott will prep as a reliever.
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) February 11, 2026
