The star shortstop is now fully recovered and ready to to become a star again.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson is ready to put a tough season behind him after revealing he played through a shoulder impingement for most of 2025, and he believes the injury clearly impacted his numbers at the plate.
Manager Craig Albernaz provided an update on Henderson this week, with the 24-year-old saying he's fully recovered and ready to return to the form that made him one of baseball's rising stars.
Henderson dealt with the shoulder issue after diving for a ball early in the season, and while he never missed time after returning from an opening day injury, the lingering pain affected his swing.
Henderson Opens Up About the Injury
"The shoulder impingement I played through last year impacted my swing plane," Henderson said, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. "That probably impacted my power numbers. But I'm healthy now."
The shoulder issue prevented him from getting his bat on plane as early as he normally would, which led to him chopping down on the ball rather than driving it with lift.
His home run total dropped from 37 in 2024 to just 17 in 2025, and his OPS fell from .893 to .787 despite playing in 154 games.
The Orioles finished 2025 with a disappointing 75-87 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Henderson remained one of Baltimore's most productive players despite the injury, posting a .274 average, 68 RBIs, and a career-high 30 stolen bases.
What Henderson Brings to Baltimore in 2026
Despite the down year, Henderson is still considered the centerpiece of Baltimore's young core and one of the best young shortstops in baseball.
His 2024 campaign saw him earn All-Star honors and finish fourth in MVP voting after posting a .281 average with 37 home runs and 92 RBIs.
With the shoulder now healthy, Henderson and the Orioles are hopeful he can return to those elite numbers.
Baltimore's aggressive offseason, including signings of Pete Alonso and closer Ryan Helsley along with trades for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward, have positioned the team as contenders in 2026.
"Looking back on it, I'm proud of the way it turned out, being able to put together that season with not feeling 100%," Henderson said. "Looking forward to getting back to feeling 100% healthy this year."
Some analysts have even predicted a World Series championship for Baltimore in 2026, with Henderson expected to anchor the lineup.
For that to happen, the shortstop will need to rediscover the power stroke that made him a star.
Henderson agreed to an $8.5 million contract for 2026, a franchise record for a first-year arbitration player, showing how much the organization values their shortstop heading into a pivotal season.