Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday missed Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday has had a disappointing third big-league season. His results on the field have been underwhelming through 29 games, as he has accounted for –0.3 bWAR while playing below-average defense.
He has barely hit .200 with a .286 on-base percentage and .674 OPS. He has shown promising power numbers, smashing four home runs and driving in 12 RBIs. However, it has still been a frustrating start and it is undeniable that Holliday has not helped the team in 2026.
However, a lot of the disappointment has also come from how little he has played. Holliday had multiple setbacks while recovering from right hamate bone surgery in February, an injury that was originally expected to sideline him for a few weeks after Opening Day.
Instead, the recovery dragged on for two months and delayed his season debut until May, preventing him from ever getting any momentum.
So, when Holliday left Saturday’s game and missed Sunday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a right groin injury, O's fans feared it was another setback in a season full of them.
Fortunately, this one appears far less serious and is not expected to force an injured list stint. Holliday addressed his injury while speaking with reporters on Sunday. “Holliday said he’s optimistic his groin injury isn’t serious. He thinks he could be available off the bench tonight,” reported Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
While Holliday could be downplaying the issue, the Orioles will certainly know more on Monday, when he hopes to slot right back into the starting nine and begin turning his season around.
And the Orioles need him to. They did take the series against the defending champion Dodgers in an impressive weekend showing winning two out of three games, but they still sit at 37-42. Even so, the team is clearly talented enough to make a push, especially in a weaker American League.
Holliday could be a difference-maker if he finds his stride. While he has not been good in his three seasons, he is still just 22 years old, and he was the first overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft for a reason.
However, even if Holliday is healthy, there is always a chance he is sent back down to Triple-A Norfolk to figure it out and get his career back on track. For now, the Orioles will hope that his groin issue remains minor and that he can return quickly as they prepare for a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels.
