A devastating blow for the Orioles: Their highly anticipated young star, Jackson Holliday, will require surgery and miss Opening Day! This news is sure to send ripples through the fanbase, as many were eager to see him back on the field. But here's where it gets interesting: while the injury sounds serious, the team's management assures us it's a common ailment in baseball and not a long-term concern.
Holliday, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, suffered a fracture of his hamate bone in his right hand last week during batting practice. The procedure to repair this is scheduled for Thursday. This means he'll be placed on the injured list to start the season, and his return is anticipated to be measured in weeks, rather than days. For those in Sarasota, don't expect to see much of him during spring training.
Last season, Holliday showcased his potential, batting .242 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs across 149 games. He made his debut in the Orioles' lineup during the 2024 season, playing in 60 games. This setback, while unfortunate, is a common hurdle for hitters, according to Mike Elias, the Orioles' president of baseball operations and general manager. He emphasized that this type of injury, a broken hamate bone, is frequently seen in baseball players and shouldn't impact Holliday's long-term career prospects.
And this is the part most people miss: While Holliday's absence is a significant story, the Orioles are also dealing with another injury. Third baseman Jordan Westburg is currently managing a right oblique injury. This will cause a delay in his participation in spring training games. However, Elias indicated that Westburg is on the mend and is not expected to miss any regular season games. He's reportedly making good progress and is in the process of a full recovery.
What are your thoughts on this news? Do you believe the Orioles can still contend without Holliday for the initial part of the season? Let us know in the comments below!
