Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday is set to make his third professional start at third base for Double-A Chesapeake. This comes after recovering from a hamate bone fracture. As a player who’s primarily featured as a second baseman in the majors, this transition is noteworthy.
Manager Craig Albernaz explained, “We talked to him to see where his head is at, and he was on board. Versatility is something we need.” This change highlights the team’s need for flexible players, especially with injuries affecting the roster.
Holliday isn’t the only player facing challenges. He joins Francisco Lindor and Corbin Carroll, who also dealt with hamate injuries this spring. While Lindor and Carroll made it back for Opening Day, Holliday has faced setbacks due to pain in his recovering hand. After missing two weeks, he recently returned to the Baysox lineup.
Interestingly, Holliday hasn’t played third base in three years. He only recorded a couple of games at that position earlier this season. So far in his big-league career, he has primarily played 188 games at second base and a handful at shortstop. However, his defensive stats have been less than stellar. In 2025, he had -10 Defensive Runs Saved at second base, placing him in the 5th percentile for Outs Above Average.
The Orioles’ infield has missed not just Holliday but also third baseman Jordan Westburg, who has been sidelined with a partial UCL tear. Westburg was recently shut down from baseball activities due to elbow pain, highlighting the team’s injury woes. He has a follow-up appointment, which may determine the next steps for his recovery.
With Holliday out, Jeremiah Jackson stepped up as the primary second baseman. He had a solid start to the season, posting a .768 OPS in April, including a grand slam. Although he’s struggled a bit in May, he’s generally performed well defensively with 4 Defensive Runs Saved.
In contrast, Coby Mayo, Westburg’s replacement, has struggled significantly. He’s hitting just .163 and has a high strikeout rate of nearly 30%. His defensive numbers are also concerning, with -3 Defensive Runs Saved this season. Other options like Weston Wilson and Blaze Alexander have not made a strong impact either.
If Holliday can get up to speed at third base, it could open more opportunities for Jackson to stay in the lineup. Jackson does have experience at the hot corner, but the team might prefer to utilize him at second base for his glove skills. This flexibility will certainly benefit the Orioles as they navigate through injuries and the rest of the season.
This situation illustrates the challenges teams face amid injuries while also emphasizing how crucial depth and adaptability can be in a player’s development and a team’s success.
For more insights on player injuries and their impact on team performance, check out this study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine: AJSM Study.
Source link
jackson holliday,jordan westburg
