Baltimore’s Wild Card chase has reached the part of September where every healthy body matters, and the Orioles will have to cover second base without Jackson Holliday for at least 10 days.
Orioles place Jackson Holliday on injured list as September race tightens
The Orioles put Holliday on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with inflammation in his left wrist, retroactive to Tuesday. The 22-year-old second baseman had already missed Baltimore’s 7-5, 11-inning win over the Mets the previous night and was unavailable again for the series finale at Citi Field.
Manager Craig Albernaz said Holliday had been dealing with physical wear in recent days, a familiar condition for a club playing meaningful games late in the calendar.
“Everybody is carrying something at this point,” Albernaz said. “Jackie has been feeling it over the last couple of days, and the medical staff is taking the proper precautions.”
It is Holliday’s second injured-list stay this season. He opened the year recovering from surgery on his right hamate bone before making his 2026 debut on May 19. In 98 games during his third Major League season, Holliday has batted .229 with 12 doubles, a triple, seven homers, 30 RBIs and a .640 OPS.
His earliest possible return date is Sept. 25, when Baltimore begins its final regular-season series, a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.
Jeremiah Jackson gets first look at second
Jeremiah Jackson started at second base in both games against the Mets, and the 26-year-old supplied a timely jolt in Tuesday’s extra-inning victory. Jackson hit a solo home run in the second inning, helping Baltimore build the offense it needed to outlast New York.
Jackson appears positioned to handle the regular work at second while Holliday is sidelined, although the Orioles added another infield option by selecting José Barrero from Triple-A Norfolk.
Barrero, 28, returns to the Major League roster for the first time in 2026. He previously appeared in 161 big league games with the Reds and Cardinals from 2020 through 2025. Baltimore signed the utility infielder in July 2025, and he also spent time in the club’s Major League camp this spring.
At Norfolk this season, Barrero played 124 games and posted a .202 average with 14 doubles, one triple, 23 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .705 OPS. His power gives the Orioles another right-handed option around the infield during a stretch when the club cannot afford many empty spots on the roster.
Alexander remains out as Orioles chase Chicago
Baltimore is also still without utility man Blaze Alexander, who is managing lower-back discomfort. Alexander becomes eligible to return Saturday, though the club has not indicated that he is certain to be ready by then.
The Orioles entered Wednesday at 74-78, three games behind the 77-75 White Sox for the American League’s third Wild Card position. With Holliday now headed to the injured list and Alexander still unavailable, Baltimore’s infield depth will be tested heading into the final run of the season.
SEO Title: Orioles Put Jackson Holliday on 10-Day IL With Left Wrist Inflammation
SEO Description: The Orioles placed second baseman Jackson Holliday on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation, calling up José Barrero as Baltimore continues its American League Wild Card push.
