![\"Orioles](\"https:\/\/cdn.mlbtraderumors.com\/files\/2026\/05\/JacksonHolliday-scaled.jpg\")
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Baltimore, MD \u2013<\/strong> The Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> are preparing for a lineup adjustment as infielder Jackson Holliday<\/strong> is expected to start at third base<\/strong> for Double-A Chesapeake Baysox<\/strong> on Sunday. This will mark Holliday\u2019s third professional appearance at the hot corner, as the 22-year-old continues his recovery from a hamate bone fracture<\/strong> that has kept him off the major league roster for much of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Holliday, primarily a second baseman at the big-league level, has only briefly ventured away from his usual spot. Despite appearing in 188 starts at second base<\/strong> and seven at shortstop in his MLB career, the Orioles see value in testing him at third, given current roster needs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe talked to him, see where his head is at, and he was for it,\u201d manager Craig Albernaz<\/strong> told reporters, including Roch Kubatko of MASN<\/strong>.<\/em> Holliday\u2019s hamate fracture has been a persistent hurdle. He was one of three notable players who suffered hamate injuries<\/strong> this spring, along with Francisco Lindor<\/strong> and Corbin Carroll<\/strong>. While Lindor and Carroll were ready for Opening Day<\/strong>, Holliday has struggled to regain full strength, facing repeated pauses in his rehabilitation due to soreness in his surgically repaired hand.<\/p>\n He returned to minor league action with the Baysox after a two-week absence, and his gradual reintegration includes experimenting with third base\u2014a position he hasn\u2019t played regularly in three years. In 2023, Holliday made only one appearance each at High-A and Double-A third base<\/strong>, underscoring the experimental nature of this move.<\/p>\n Holliday\u2019s defensive metrics at second base have drawn scrutiny. In 2025, he posted -10 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS)<\/strong> as Baltimore\u2019s primary second baseman and ranked in the 5th percentile for Outs Above Average (-8 OAA)<\/strong>. His brief stints at shortstop were similarly underwhelming, with -2 DRS in limited action.<\/p>\n Despite the numbers, the Orioles value Holliday\u2019s athleticism and potential<\/strong>, and training him at third base provides an opportunity to expand the team\u2019s infield flexibility<\/strong>. With third baseman Jordan Westburg<\/strong> sidelined due to a partial UCL tear<\/strong> sustained in spring training, Baltimore has been forced to rely on alternatives who have yet to match Holliday\u2019s upside.<\/p>\n Westburg\u2019s absence has opened up significant playing time at both second and third base. Jeremiah Jackson<\/strong>, 26, stepped into the role at second base, producing a solid start with a .768 OPS<\/strong> through April, including a grand slam to close out the month. Although he has cooled off in May, going 3-for-23<\/strong>, Jackson has largely held his own as an everyday player, posting 4 DRS at second base<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Conversely, Coby Mayo<\/strong>, serving as Westburg\u2019s replacement at third, has struggled offensively, hitting .163<\/strong> with a 29.9% strikeout rate<\/strong> over 33 games. His wRC+ of 42 ranks among the lowest in the league for players with over 100 plate appearances. Defensively, Mayo has posted -3 DRS at third base<\/strong>, bringing his total to -7 DRS in 42 MLB games<\/strong> at the position. Other fill-ins, including Weston Wilson<\/strong> and Blaze Alexander<\/strong>, have similarly delivered underwhelming results, both at the plate and in the field.<\/p>\n Training Holliday at third offers multiple benefits for Baltimore. First, it provides lineup flexibility<\/strong>, allowing Jackson to remain at second base, where he has demonstrated competency. Second, it gives the Orioles the option to strengthen defense at a traditionally challenging position<\/strong>, particularly while Westburg recovers from injury.<\/p>\n Manager Craig Albernaz emphasized that Holliday\u2019s willingness to play third base is not just about filling a gap. It\u2019s a strategic move aimed at roster balance<\/strong>, improving both defensive coverage and offensive potential. By adding a versatile infielder who can play multiple positions, the Orioles can adapt to injuries, optimize matchups, and provide breathing room for their key players.<\/p>\n Holliday\u2019s progression at third base will be closely monitored by the Orioles\u2019 coaching staff. While his offensive track record has been more consistent than his defensive metrics, mastering a new infield position at the professional level presents a learning curve<\/strong>. If he adapts successfully, it could significantly impact the Orioles\u2019 infield configuration, allowing the team to deploy players more effectively across second and third bases.<\/p>\n The ultimate goal is to maximize roster efficiency<\/strong> while preparing Holliday for a potential return to the majors. As Baltimore navigates injuries and inconsistent performances from current backups, having Holliday capable of contributing at multiple positions could be pivotal for both regular season depth<\/strong> and postseason ambitions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For the 22-year-old Holliday, Sunday\u2019s start at third base represents another step in his road back from injury<\/strong>. His successful adaptation would not only benefit his development but also provide the Baltimore Orioles with a valuable multi-positional option<\/strong> in the infield.<\/p>\n With Westburg sidelined and other backups struggling offensively, Holliday\u2019s return and experimentation at third could be a key factor in stabilizing the Orioles\u2019 lineup. While his defensive metrics have historically been a concern, Holliday\u2019s combination of athleticism, versatility, and hitting potential makes him a promising candidate to reshape Baltimore\u2019s infield dynamics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Holliday to see if he can translate his skills across positions<\/strong> and contribute to a more balanced, resilient Orioles roster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Orioles\u2019 Jackson Holliday Set to Test Third Base as Team Seeks Infield Versatility Baltimore, MD \u2013 The Baltimore Orioles are preparing for a lineup adjustment as infielder… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":185128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-185126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\u201cI think if you look at our roster, versatility is something that we need.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nHolliday\u2019s Road to Recovery<\/h3>\n
![\"Orioles'](\"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Holliday-signing.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,900\")
<\/p>\nDefensive Metrics and Challenges<\/h3>\n
Current Infield Situation<\/h3>\n
![\"Baltimore](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jackson-holliday-e1778165721713.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=1200\")
<\/p>\nStrategic Importance of Holliday at Third Base<\/h3>\n
Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n