Jackson Holliday’s latest comments should give Orioles fans hope for quick rebound

The Baltimore Orioles got some tough news when it was revealed that young infielder Jackson Holliday would have to undergo hand surgery and would miss Opening Day. However, his recent comments suggest he should not miss too much of the start of the season.

Holliday said the following when asked about his recovery: "Talked to some guys that have had the same surgery, and they said they’ve been back and hitting lives in three weeks. So, that’s my goal."

Orioles should hope for a quick turnaround from Jackson Holliday

Going off that timeline, that would mean Holliday could start taking live batting practice in early March. That's not bad at all, coming off surgery, so as long as everything goes according to plan, it is not unreasonable to expect him back with the team sometime in April.

It's easy to look at Holliday's injury following a 2025 campaign that was not as strong as many had hoped for and begin to think that he may not be on the superstar path many saw for him. It is still incredibly early in his career, so judgment should be reserved, but it is fair to wonder how this could impact his season.

Last year with Baltimore, he slashed .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs and 55 runs batted in. Those are not awful numbers by any stretch, but many were hoping the highly touted prospect could set the world on fire and take home AL Rookie of the Year honors.

Progression is not linear for all young players, though, so it may take time for him to find his footing at the big league level. Holliday now has a new coaching staff that will look to help him reach his potential, so he is in a good position to succeed.

It's also worth noting that he will have less pressure on him in 2026. The Pete Alonso signing takes pressure off everyone else in the lineup, Holliday included. He probably didn't feel like he had to carry the squad in 2025, but now he knows that he doesn't have to try to do anything extraordinary; he just has to be himself.

While he will not have a normal spring training, as long as he is healthy whenever he makes his 2026 debut, that is what matters most. It may take him time to find his footing whenever he is ready to come back, but it is better than him trying to play through something and injuring himself further while also potentially messing up his mechanics in the process.