Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will begin the regular season on the sidelines due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand. The announcement came from the team’s president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, on Wednesday. Holliday sustained the injury during batting practice last week and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday. The Orioles have not provided a specific timeline for his recovery, though Elias indicated that it will take “measured weeks” post-Opening Day.
Holliday joins a list of players experiencing similar hamate injuries. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is projected to miss around six weeks, while Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is set to miss the World Baseball Classic as he also requires surgery. Both players’ statuses for Opening Day remain uncertain.
Historical data from Baseball Prospectus suggests that players who have had hamate surgery typically miss about seven weeks on average. Each case varies, but if Holliday’s recovery aligns with this trend and goes smoothly, he may return early in the season, possibly around the six-week mark.
At just 22 years old, Holliday was the top pick in the 2022 Draft and had an impactful first full season in the majors last year. He finished with a .242 batting average, 17 home runs, and 17 stolen bases, contributing approximately 1 Win Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference.
In Holliday’s absence, the Orioles may turn to recently acquired Blaze Alexander as a temporary solution at second base. Alexander was added to the roster prior to Holliday’s injury, making the transition appear strategic. Last season, Alexander played 74 games and recorded a .230 batting average, seven home runs, and four stolen bases, amounting to an estimated 1.7 Wins Above Replacement.
While the injury is a setback for Holliday and the Orioles, the team has options in place to navigate this challenge as they look forward to the upcoming season. With a mix of up-and-coming talent and strategic acquisitions, the Orioles remain poised to maintain their competitive edge in the league.