Jackson

Holliday

Holliday has already resumed throwing after having his stitches removed earlier this week. The 22-year-old former top prospect underwent surgery earlier this month to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist. He’s targeting a return to Baltimore’s lineup at some point in mid-to-late April. It’ll be some combination of Jeremiah Jackson and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander filling in at the keystone during his absence.

This is another step in the right direction following his hamate bone surgery. Holliday has stated that he’s hoping for a mid-April return, and that feels likely at this point. Most of the hitters who undergo hamate bone surgery can return to about 80-85 percent of their past production in short order. The aspect that takes the longest to come back is power, so fantasy managers shouldn’t be expecting any kind of power improvement from the 22-year-old this eason.

The dynamic 22-year-old suffered a broken hamate bone in his right wrist as he was plunked during a live batting practice session. Holliday noted his disappointment, saying that he felt as though he had crushed his offseason routine and that his swing was in a great place entering spring training. If he only misses a couple of weeks, it shouldn’t impact his fantasy draft stock too drastically, though there are serious questions about what the injury will do to his power output.

For reasons that weren’t exactly clear, the Orioles were especially quick to rule out Holliday for Opening Day as a result of the injury he suffered while hitting last Thursday. It sounds like they expect him to miss much of April, which should lead to Blaze Alexander starting at second or perhaps Coby Mayo playing third while Jordan Westburg slides over to second.

He’ll undergo surgery tomorrow. Orioles GM Mike Elias said his timeline will be measured in “weeks” after Opening Day, so it sounds like fantasy managers can expect him to miss most if not all of April. The Orioles could move Jordan Westburg to second base early in the season to play Coby Mayo at third, or perhaps they’ll simply give Blaze Alexander and/or Jeremiah Jackson more run at second base.

With Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo gone, the Orioles needed a utilityman, and Alexander can hit lefties and play quality defense. He spent a chunk of last year as the D-backs’ third baseman and finished at .230/.323/.383 in 266 plate appearances, albeit with an ugly 32% strikeout rate. Alexander figures to play second base over Jackson Holliday against tough lefties, and he could also log some outfield time if players get hurt. His departure from Arizona would seem to increase the chances of Jordan Lawlar breaking camp with the team, but we assume there’s still more to come from the Diamondbacks.

Holliday was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup due to discomfort in his knee and was held out of action on Thursday as well as a precautionary measure. It appears to have been just a minor issue though as he’s right back in there on Friday and batting leadoff against Will Warren and the Yankees.

Holliday was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with knee discomfort, and he will not be in the lineup on Thursday either. With Baltimore already eliminated from playoff contention, it makes no sense for them to put the 21-year-old in the lineup unless he’s 100 percent. Whether or not he makes it back into the lineup this weekend remains to be seen. Jorge Mateo will start at second base in Holliday’s place on Thursday.

It sounds like the Orioles aren’t going to take any chances in what amounts to a meaningless contest with Holliday experiencing some knee discomfort. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 21-year-old former top prospect sit out a couple additional games during the final week of the season for precautionary reasons. Jordan Westburg moves over to the keystone with rookie standout Jeremiah Jackson handling the hot corner.

Usual leadoff man Jackson Holliday is getting this one off with lefty Max Fried on the mound. With Tyler O’Neill back in the mix and the Orioles having committed to Coby Mayo at first, Mountcastle had been out of the lineup five times in seven games. He seems destined to be moved this winter, unless maybe the Orioles decide that Mayo isn’t the answer at first.