The Baltimore Orioles’ rough start to the 2026 MLB season isn’t getting any better.
Young infielder Jackson Holliday has yet to play this season after suffering a hamate injury in spring training. And, concerns have grown as he left a rehab assignment early on Tuesday. Holliday was in his first game with Triple-A Norfolk in a rehab assignment, but he exited early following a foul tip strikeout.
Jackson Holliday's previous rehab assignment after his hamate bone surgery was paused due to right wrist soreness.
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) April 21, 2026
He began again over the weekend with High-A Frederick, and today shifted to Norfolk to continue his buildup. But after a foul tip strikeout, he was pulled
Here is the play where Holliday appeared to aggravate the injury.
Here's the swing that resulted in Jackson Holliday being removed from his rehab game in Triple-A Norfolk.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) April 21, 2026
Holliday foul tipped the pitch and appeared to be in noticeable pain afterward.
The 22-year-old is recovering from hook of hamate removal surgery he had in February. pic.twitter.com/SU3StbhaMB
The Orioles entered the season with high hopes, especially after signing slugger Pete Alonso in a massive free agency deal.
However, the Orioles have an 11-12 record entering Tuesday, so it hasn’t quite been what they are hoping for, and now more worries have surfaced about Holliday’s return.
Holliday, 22, hit .242 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2025 with Baltimore while playing in 149 games, and he was expected to be an everyday piece of the lineup.
It’s another bump in the road for Baltimore, and there should be an update on Holliday sometime soon.
