SARASOTA, FL— Jackson Holliday won’t be in the lineup for Opening Day, but the Baltimore Orioles remain confident the delay will be measured in weeks — not months.
Holliday suffered a fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand late in camp and underwent surgery to remove the hook of the bone, a common procedure for hitters. The injury sidelines one of baseball’s top young infielders just as Baltimore prepares to defend its place among the American League contenders.
Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias described the injury as unfortunate but manageable, noting that hamate fractures are common in the sport and typically do not create long-term concerns.
Elias said the timeline for return would likely extend a few weeks beyond Opening Day, depending on how Holliday responds to rehab and regains grip strength.
The injury is a setback for a player viewed as a central piece of Baltimore’s present and future. The former No. 1 overall draft pick entered camp competing for a full-time infield role alongside young standouts such as Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman.
Manager Craig Albernaz emphasized that the organization’s priority is Holliday’s long-term health and development rather than rushing him back for the season’s first week.
Hamate injuries have become a familiar challenge across Major League Baseball. The procedure to remove the fractured hook often allows players to return within four to eight weeks, though timing and power can take additional time to fully normalize.
For Baltimore, depth softens the immediate impact. The Orioles have built their resurgence through a pipeline of young talent and roster flexibility, allowing them to absorb short-term absences without altering long-term plans.
Holliday’s absence will be felt early, but the expectation inside the organization is that he will rejoin the club not long after Opening Day if rehab progresses as anticipated.
The season’s first few weeks may pass without him in uniform at Camden Yards. The Orioles believe the months that follow will still include him in the middle of their plans.
