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. This injury occurred during live batting practice on February 6th, and Holliday is expected to miss the first several weeks of the season. Holliday, a former No. 1 pick and top prospect, had been poised to open the season at second base after a strong performance in his age-21 season. The team's second base position is now up for grabs, with trade acquisition Blaze Alexander and utilityman Jeremiah Jackson as potential candidates. Alternatively, the team could consider playing Jordan Westburg at second base and giving Coby Mayo a shot at third base.
The injury to Holliday has sparked speculation among fans, with some concluding that it influenced the team's decision to acquire Alexander in a recent trade with the Diamondbacks. However, the trade was finalized the day after Holliday's injury, and the team's concerns about Westburg's oblique injury were minimal at the time. Hamate fractures are common, and stars like Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll are currently dealing with similar injuries. The surgery typically results in a player being sidelined for four to eight weeks, and hand injuries can impact power output even after recovery.
Another player on the injured list is right-handed pitcher Colin Selby, who is dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder. The team acquired Selby from the Royals in a July 2024 trade, and he spent most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Triple-A. Selby's effectiveness in the big leagues is notable, with 14 innings pitched in 2025, holding opponents to a 3.21 ERA. The injury to Selby opens up opportunities for other pitchers in the team's Opening Day bullpen competition, including left-handed pitcher Grant Wolfram, right-handed pitchers Yaramil Hiraldo and Rico Garcia, and Chayce McDermott, who will be used as a reliever this season. Tyler Wells, a right-handed pitcher, will build up as a starter, providing insurance for potential rotation injuries.
