Jackson Holliday, the Baltimore Orioles infielder, recently removed the cast from his right hand after a successful surgery to repair a hamate bone injury. The injury occurred during a live batting practice session at the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium complex on February 6. This surgery means Holliday will miss the beginning of the regular season but expects to return to the lineup by mid-April.
Holliday described the surgery as straightforward and emphasized the recovery process in an interview.
“I think it’s pretty straightforward. Talking to the training staff and the strength staff, it’s kind of the best surgery you can possibly have because it’s so quick and easy,”
he said. He also expressed his cautious optimism about the healing timeline:
“I’m hoping it doesn’t linger too long. I think it’s just kind of going off of how I feel. Obviously, don’t want to rush into anything at the beginning of the season and kind of press on something that doesn’t need to be pressed on. But that’s my goal. I mean, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can,”
Holliday added.
Rehabilitation Timeline and Team Adjustments During Recovery
The typical rehab for a hamate bone injury takes six to eight weeks. Although Holliday has joined the Orioles’ full squad workouts, he cannot hold a bat for three to four weeks. However, he is expected to participate soon in defensive drills, including running and throwing exercises. Alongside Holliday, major league players such as Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets are also recovering from similar hamate bone injuries.
During Holliday’s absence, the Orioles plan to rely on players Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson at third base, with Jordan Westburg also available as an option. Holliday, a former No. 1 Draft Pick, had a solid previous season, hitting .242 with 21 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 2025. The team will aim to maintain offensive production despite his temporary absence.
Minnesota Twins Face Rotation Changes After Pablo Lopez Injury
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins are dealing with the news that ace pitcher Pablo Lopez will require Tommy John reconstruction surgery following an MRI that revealed a significant tear in his right elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament. Lopez sustained the injury during a live batting practice session on Monday. He previously missed part of the last season due to a Grade 2 strain in his teres major muscle.
In the 2025 season, Lopez made 14 starts for the Twins, posting a solid 2.74 ERA over 75.2 innings pitched. Over the prior three seasons, he was considered Minnesota’s most dependable starter, making 96 starts with a 3.83 ERA and accumulating 606 strikeouts in 559.1 innings.
The Twins currently feature Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Simeon Woods Richardson in the top three rotation spots. They strengthened their pitching depth at last year’s trade deadline by adding right-handed pitchers David Festa, Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley, and Mick Abel through trades involving Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran.
With the team’s payroll now under $30 million compared to the previous year, the Twins have financial flexibility to pursue additions to their rotation. Free-agent pitchers such as Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell remain available on the market, potentially providing the club with viable options to compensate for Lopez’s loss.
Context of Other MLB Developments and Player Remarks
Within the broader baseball context, the World Baseball Classic 2026 has generated buzz, with notable players offering opinions on teams led by stars like Shohei Ohtani. Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced around the Miami Marlins’ willingness to trade Sandy Alcantara and the Houston Astros accelerating their pursuit of Isaac Paredes.
In the labor sphere, Marcus Semien recently expressed his reactions to Tony Clark’s departure as chief of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), highlighting the emotional difficulty in processing the change. This development adds to the ongoing narrative of MLB’s labor relations and player representation.
Significance and Outlook for Holliday and the Orioles
Jackson Holliday’s successful surgery and steady recovery are crucial for the Orioles as they prepare for the upcoming season. His absence during the first several weeks will require the team to adapt defensively and offensively. Nonetheless, his expected return by mid-April offers hope to Baltimore, given his promising performance as a former top draft pick and impactful contributor last season.
Similarly, the Minnesota Twins face a challenge in adjusting their pitching roster following Pablo Lopez’s injury. The potential additions of free agents and the depth in their existing rotation highlight the team’s strategy to remain competitive despite setbacks.
Overall, these developments reflect the physical demands and uncertainties of professional baseball, where injuries can quickly alter team dynamics and roster planning. The coming months will reveal how Holliday’s recovery and the Twins’ rotation moves affect their respective seasons.
Pablo López has a torn elbow ligament and “surgery is very much on the table” according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll.
If surgery is needed, López would miss the entire season.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 17, 2026
