Orioles Nearing Key Decision on Jackson Holliday

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Orioles Nearing Key Decision on Jackson Holliday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Kelson | Last updated May 18, 2026 2:04 PM ET

The Baltimore Orioles may be getting their young star back very soon.

Jackson Holliday has joined the team in St. Petersburg ahead of the Orioles’ series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner was the first to report Holliday’s appearance with the team.

It remains unclear whether Holliday will be activated ahead of tonight’s game or at a later date. His recovery has been a tedious and strenuous one after suffering a broken hamate bone in spring training.

The former No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft has had to pause his recovery several times over the past few months. There was concern that Holliday hit another speed bump when he was pulled in the fifth inning of his rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk last night.

However, that was revealed to be part of his recovery process. Now, with his appearance with the big league club in Tampa, the Orioles may believe they have seen enough from the 22-year-old on his rehab assignment.

Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday is in St. Pete with the team, sources said, although it remains to be seen when/if he’s activated off the injured list.

Holliday’s path back from surgery on his broken hamate bone hasn’t been smooth, but he just spent time on a rehab stint
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) May 18, 2026

Holliday was starting to heat up over the past couple of days. On Friday, he hit his first home run. On Saturday, he added a triple.

The bigger news in Holliday’s rehab process is his position change.

Holliday started his career as a shortstop but quickly moved to second base because of Gunnar Henderson. Now, he has shifted to third base.

That comes after the recent news that Orioles primary third baseman Jordan Westburg is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery.

Coby Mayo and Blaze Alexander have held down third base in the meantime. Jeremiah Jackson has taken over Holliday’s position at second base. Jackson has become a main piece of the Orioles’ lineup, and Baltimore seems intent on keeping him there.

However, Mayo has started to heat up for the Orioles over the past week. In his last six games, Mayo is 6-for-18 with two home runs. His recent hot streak could push him into more playing time.

Either way, the imminent return of Holliday is nothing but good news for the Orioles, who have underperformed expectations this season. Baltimore is five games under .500 and 10 games back in the American League East.

But with Holliday’s return, perhaps the Birds can get their season back on track. The Orioles begin their series with the Rays tonight at 6:40 p.m. EST with Trevor Rogers on the mound.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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