Orioles' Jackson Holliday to miss start of season with hand injury

Top prospect will be sidelined for several weeks after breaking bone in his hand during spring training

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Baltimore Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday will miss the start of the 2026 season after breaking a bone in his hand during live batting practice earlier this month. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias confirmed that Holliday suffered a broken hamate bone and will not be ready for Opening Day, with his return expected to be measured in weeks after that.

Why it matters

Holliday, the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, had a solid rookie season in 2025 and was expected to take a big step forward this year. His injury is a setback for the rebuilding Orioles, who were counting on Holliday to be a key part of their future. The team's trade for infielder Blaze Alexander from the Diamondbacks makes more sense now as they will need additional infield depth while Holliday recovers.

The details

Holliday suffered the injury on February 6th during live batting practice in Sarasota, Florida. Elias said the broken hamate bone is "nothing concerning long-term" but will keep Holliday out for the start of the season. The 22-year-old hit .247 with 17 home runs in 149 games as a rookie in 2025 and was looking to build on that experience this year.

  • On February 6th, Holliday suffered the hand injury during live batting practice in Sarasota, Florida.
  • Holliday will miss all of spring training and Opening Day for the Orioles.

The players

Jackson Holliday

The top prospect in the Orioles' system, Holliday was the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He had a solid rookie season in 2025 and was expected to take a big step forward in 2026 before suffering this hand injury.

Mike Elias

The president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles, Elias confirmed the details of Holliday's injury and timeline for recovery.

Blaze Alexander

An infielder acquired by the Orioles in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Alexander will provide additional depth in the infield while Holliday is sidelined.

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What they’re saying

“Jackson Holliday, on a couple of days ago, February 6th, he was doing live batting practice here in Sarasota and felt something in his right hand. It's a broken hamate bone. That's nothing concerning long-term, but he's going to miss some time. (He) won't be ready for Opening Day and hopefully his return is measured in weeks after that.”

— Mike Elias, President of Baseball Operations, Baltimore Orioles (98online.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This injury to top prospect Jackson Holliday is a setback for the rebuilding Orioles, who were counting on him to be a key part of their future. The team's trade for infielder Blaze Alexander now makes more sense as they will need additional depth in the infield while Holliday recovers, which is expected to take several weeks.