Jackson Holliday Surgery Scheduled for Thursday; Orioles Star to Miss Opening Day

Baltimore second baseman Jackson Holliday will undergo a procedure on his right hand this Thursday, forcing him to miss the start of the regular season.

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will undergo surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand this Thursday. The procedure, confirmed by president of baseball operations Mike Elias on Wednesday, officially rules the infielder out for Opening Day. Holliday sustained the fracture last week during a batting practice session and is slated to begin the 2024 campaign on the shelf. This medical development follows a 2023 season where the former top prospect appeared in 149 games, posting a .242 batting average alongside 17 home runs and 55 RBIs.

Elias characterized the upcoming operation as a common occurrence for professional hitters, noting that the injury has been a frequent issue in baseball for a long time. While the recovery timeline will prevent the infielder from participating in the initial games of the regular season, the Orioles front office does not view the break as a concerning long-term setback. The team expects his return to be measured in weeks following the procedure, though fans should not expect to see much of him at the Sarasota facility before the season commences.

Impact on the Baltimore Infield Depth

The loss of the 2022 No. 1 overall draft pick creates an immediate vacancy at second base for the Baltimore lineup. Holliday broke into the major league roster during the 2024 season and saw action in 60 games before this hand injury occurred. His absence shifts the focus to the remaining healthy members of the dirt, as the club prepares for its opening series without one of its primary young starters. The timing of the mishap during spring training interrupted what was expected to be a full ramp-up for the sophomore infielder.

In addition to the news regarding the hand repair, Elias provided updates on third baseman Jordan Westburg. Westburg is currently managing a right oblique injury, a condition that has delayed his availability for upcoming Grapefruit League games. Despite the setback, the Orioles do not expect the third baseman to miss any time during the regular season. The general manager informed reporters that Westburg has turned the corner in his recovery and is currently in the process of reaching full health.

Statistical Context and Roster Movements

Holliday’s 149-game workload last year established him as a durable presence before this fracture. His 55 runs batted in and 17 homers represented significant production that the Orioles must now replace internally for the first several weeks of the year. Because the injury happened in Florida during the preseason, the training staff has already begun the process of designating him for the disabled list to facilitate the post-operative rehabilitation process.

Elias remains optimistic about the recovery trajectory, emphasizing that the hamate repair is a standard procedure for hitters who experience this type of stress during swings. The Wednesday announcement clarified that while the Opening Day roster will be missing its starting second baseman, the long-term outlook for the right hand remains positive. The focus now shifts to the recovery window following Thursday's operation and how the Baltimore coaching staff will reorganize the defensive alignment.

Spring Training Adjustments in Sarasota

With both Holliday and Westburg dealing with right-sided injuries, the Orioles' schedule will feature a modified infield. Westburg’s oblique issue is being handled with caution to ensure he is ready for the first game of the regular season, unlike his teammate, whose surgical recovery necessitates a period of inactivity. The Baltimore front office will monitor the weeks following the operation to determine a specific date for his 2024 debut.

The top pick’s transition from a 60-game stint in 2024 to a projected full season has been temporarily halted by this bone break. As the team continues its preparations, the medical staff will oversee the rehabilitation of both the hand and the oblique strain to stabilize the roster before the team breaks camp. Elias reiterated that the health of his infielders remains the priority as the club moves past these spring training hurdles.