The Orioles are heading into spring training with a few key injury updates that could shape the early weeks of their 2026 campaign - and the biggest headline is Jackson Holliday.
The 22-year-old second baseman, who was poised to take the Opening Day job, will now start the season on the injured list after fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand during live batting practice on February 6. It’s a tough break - literally and figuratively - for the former No. 1 overall pick and one of the brightest young stars in the game. The injury will sideline Holliday for several weeks, with recovery from hamate fractures typically landing somewhere in the 4-to-8 week range.
Holliday’s 2025 season was solid for a player his age, slashing .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He was expected to build on that this year, taking a step forward both at the plate and in the field. Now, the Orioles will need to pivot at second base - and they’ve got a few options.
Blaze Alexander, acquired in a recent trade with the Diamondbacks, is a candidate to step in. So is Jeremiah Jackson, a versatile utilityman who can move around the infield.
Another possibility? Sliding Jordan Westburg over to second and giving top prospect Coby Mayo a shot at third base.
That kind of flexibility is a luxury for Baltimore, and it’ll be interesting to see how they configure things during Grapefruit League play.
Speaking of Westburg, he’s dealing with an oblique injury of his own, though it’s not expected to linger. He tweaked it during training about three weeks ago, but the team believes he’ll only miss the first few games of spring action. As of now, there’s no concern about his readiness for Opening Day.
On the pitching side, right-hander Colin Selby is also headed for the injured list. He’s dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder, and while there’s no exact timetable yet, it’s enough to keep him out of the Opening Day bullpen picture.
Selby, 28, was acquired from the Royals in a cash deal back in July 2024 and quietly put together a strong showing in limited big league action last season. In 14 innings across 11 appearances, he posted a 3.21 ERA with 14 strikeouts and just two walks.
He was even more effective in Triple-A, where he struck out 31.5% of batters and posted a 2.45 ERA across 25 2/3 innings. His absence opens the door for a few arms to step up in what’s shaping up to be a competitive bullpen battle.
Among those in the mix: lefty Grant Wolfram, righties Yaramil Hiraldo and Rico Garcia (who’s out of minor league options), and Chayce McDermott. McDermott has been a starter in the past, but the Orioles plan to use him as a reliever this season, which could give him a clearer path to a roster spot.
Tyler Wells, on the other hand, will be stretched out as a starter during camp. There may not be a rotation spot open for him right now, but the Orioles are keeping him ready as rotation insurance.
If he doesn’t crack the big league rotation out of camp, he could slot in as a long reliever or begin the year with Triple-A Norfolk. The team has the flexibility to move him between levels, as he still has two minor league options remaining.
Injuries are never ideal, especially this early in the year, but the Orioles’ depth is going to be tested - and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With a mix of young talent and roster flexibility, Baltimore has the pieces to weather this early storm. How they line up on Opening Day might look a little different than expected, but the long-term outlook for this team remains strong.