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2026 Fantasy Baseball: Holliday & Westburg Injuries Shake Orioles Infield – Replacement Targets
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- 2026 Fantasy Baseball: Holliday & Westburg Injuries Shake Orioles Infield – Replacement Targets
Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are two integral players among the Orioles' young and talented core. Losing both of them to injury creates problems for the team on a few different levels that may have implications for fantasy baseball . Holliday is primarily a second baseman now after moving over from shortstop, but the UCL tear in Westburg's throwing elbow might make it necessary for him to play second upon his return.
Then there is the issue of replacing their production at the plate. Holliday offers a solid combination of speed and power, which serves the bottom third of the Orioles' batting order quite well. Westburg is more of a power hitter. As such, he is most productive batting in the top half of the lineup. The current slate of replacements isn't well suited to replace either player, let alone both at the same time.
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At A Glance
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Jackson Holliday:Surgery to move fractured hamate on February 12th. Will miss Opening Day. Currently taking batting practice but has not played a game yet.
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Jordan Westburg:Had PRP injection in his elbow for a partially torn UCL on February 20th. The current timeline has him sidelined through April.
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Potential replacements:Coby Mayo, Blaze Alexander, and Jeremiah Jackson. All play multiple positions but that's where the similarities end.
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Mayo's prospect pedigreegives him the most fantasy baseball upside of the group.
Jackson Holliday's Hamate Recovery Timeline
Jackson Holliday return timeline suggests minimal absence but early power dip risk for fantasy managers.© Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Mid-April Target Amid Progress
Holliday fractured his hamate bone while taking batting practice during the first day of spring training. Surgery was performed right away with an estimated 4- to 6-week timeline to return to the field. Holliday has progressed slowly and just started taking live batting practice this past weekend. While it's a bit concerning that he has moved along so slowly, the team hasn't raised any alarm bells. It could very well be that this was the plan from the start.
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Holliday provides solid up-the-middle defense for a pitching staff that needs all the help it can get. His 17 HR/17 SB production in the bottom third of the lineup was one of the few bright spots for the O's in 2025. He should be able to return to the lineup once he regains the "feel" for the bat in his hand. While his power production may dip slightly at first, there is every reason to believe he will return in mid-April to put together another 20/20 season with the potential for more.
Jordan Westburg's UCL Tear Outlook
Jordan Westburg elbow injury clouds early-season availability with moderate re-injury risk for fantasy investors.© Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
April Absence, Surgery Avoided
Westburg's UCL tear was also diagnosed right during the early days of spring training. However, while Holliday's injury was likely caused by a single event, Westburg's injury is the result of many repeated events slowly tearing the ligament until it began inducing pain. Tommy John surgery, with or without an internal brace added, is one way to fix it. The other is PRP injections to the site.
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Platelet-Rich Plasma injections take the body's own blood cells, and load them up with proteins that promote healing, reduce inflammation, and repair damage. Westburg's most likely recovery timeline has him returning to the field sometime in mid-April. He's already begun some light throwing, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him start taking swings in the next few days. Steady progress with no setbacks should easily see him playing games in about a week, and ready to rejoin the Orioles lineup in a week or so.
Orioles Replacements: Fantasy Viability
Coby Mayo projects as primary beneficiary of Orioles injuries with clear path to meaningful early plate appearances.
Mayo, Alexander, and Jackson Have Big Shoes to Fill
ZiPS Projections:
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Blaze Alexander:.237/.322/.369 - 459 PA, 48 R, 53 RBI, 10 HR, 8 SB, .691 OPS
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Jeremiah Jackson:.242/.282/.426 - 514 PA, 55 R, 68 RBI, 19 HR., 8 SB, .698 OPS
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Coby Mayo:.234/.310/.443. - 520 PA, 64 R, 70 RBI, 22 HR, 4 SB, .753 OPS
Since the Orioles need to cover second and third base while they await the return of Westburg and Holliday, they are likely to choose their players based on versatility. Jackson can play 2B, 3B, and OF, while Mayo can handle the corner infield positions. However, Alexander can handle all but first base on the dirt, and he has some outfield experience as well. He is also out of minor league options.
Fantasy managers can safely pass on both Jackson and Alexander. The former is probably ticketed for the Minor Leagues for now, the latter won't get enough plate appearances to help. Mayo's ~397 ADP makes him an excellent end game stash. He has a solid power/speed prospect pedigree to be a post-hype sleeper in 2026, and he is likely to scoop up any extra plate appearances that Holliday, Hjerstad, and Westburg leave behind.
Holliday and Westburg's absences create both short-term concerns and opportunities for fantasy owners. Both should be stashed since they are expected to miss minimal time and should produce once they return. Mayo has the potential for a breakout campaign and should be drafted in the end game to capitalize on his power/speed potential.
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Bird Watchers Want To Know
When will Jackson Holliday return from hamate surgery?The Orioles believe he's on track to return around the second week of April.
What is Jordan Westburg's status post-PRP injection?Westburg has begun throwing and will progress to hitting soon. He is on track to return at the beginning of May.
Does Coby Mayo have any fantasy value?ZiPS : 234/.310/.443. - 520 PA, 64 R, 70 RBI, 22 HR, 4 SB, .753 OPS. ~ 397 ADP makes him an end game flier..
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What is Jeremiah Jackson's prospect upside?Deeper (AL-only) league add for .230 AVG 10 HR /8 SB power/speed mix.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Fantasy section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
