Orioles consider alternatives for injured Holliday; Henderson, Kremer, O’Neill preparing for World Baseball Classic

SARASOTA-What’s happening? Without Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson leaving on March 1^st to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, there will be lots of time for infielders to make an impression on manager Craig Albernaz.

Holliday will have surgery to remove his right hamate bone on Thursday. He injured it taking live batting practice in Sarasota on February 6^th.

Third baseman Jordan Westburg, who could potentially move to second to fill in for Holliday, is also behind. He’ll miss the first games of Grapefruit League action with a strained right oblique, president of baseball operations Mike Elias said.

There are several infielders in camp who could get significant playing time.

Blaze Alexander, who was acquired last Thursday from Arizona, is likely the primary beneficiary. Jeremiah Jackson, who played at third base, and Coby Mayo, who was drafted at third base, are 40-man roster candidates to make the team.

“We have some guys with versatility,” Albernaz said. “We have guys that can move around. All those guys are going to be getting reps and as we go through camp It gives us a chance to prep guys and see how guys look.”

Non-roster players Payton Eeles, Luis Vázquez and Weston Wilson also could see additional playing time.

Besides Holliday and Westburg, Elias mentioned right-handed reliever Colin Selby, who will begin the season on the injured list because of right shoulder inflammation. He felt it near the end of last season. Selby missed considerable time last year because of a hamstring injury.

He was 0-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 11 games and came to Sarasota to work in December.

“I think we’re on a good path. We’ve got a good plan,” Selby said.

Selby thinks he’s a few weeks behind other pitchers and remains optimistic.

“We’re playing it by ear,” Selby said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a long time.”

What’s happened? Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, minor league left-hander Eric Torres and right-hander Keagan Gillies threw live batting practice in Ed Smith Stadium.

Among those hitting were Eeles, Jackson, Vázquez, Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers, Enrique Bradfield and rookies Reed Trimble, Jud Fabian and Aron Estrada.

Henderson, Kremer and Tyler O’Neill are the most prominent Orioles who will play in the World Baseball Classic. Henderson (Team USA) and Kremer (Team Israel) have performed in pressure-packed games before. It’s Kremer’s third WBC.

“He’s had runway to know that he’s going to be pitching,” Albernaz said. “His whole offseason has been built up towards that.”

Henderson isn’t sure what his role in the WBC will be because Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is also on the team.

“Gunnar was down here early,” Albernaz said. “He had a great offseason. He’s looking great. It’s going to be a communication between us as far as getting live BP at-bats and when games start up before he leaves on March 1^st, it’s going to be dependent on him and the player feedback. I’m not going to dictate or try to dictate: ‘You need to get nine innings before you go.’

“It’s going to rely on the player’s feedback because they know their bodies better than anyone else.”

O’Neill had a forgettable 2025 season. Injuries limited him to 54 games. He’s preparing to play for Team Canada.

“Any time I can represent the Maple Leaf in an international platform, I’m going to jump at that,” O’Neill said. “Playing meaningful baseball in the middle of spring training is always fun as well. I think it’s going to be good for me and propel me to a strong start.”

The Orioles are anticipating a full season from starting pitcher Kyle Bradish, who had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 and started six times late last season.

“He’s in a terrific spot physically,” Elias said. “He’s looking great. We have not had any discussions about an artificial innings limit. I think we’re going to just work with him and take it as it comes. I think he’s in the mindset of pitching as much as he can, but certainly we know there’s a lot of innings to cover this year.”

What’s up with? Sam Huff signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on January 15^th. Huff has played 98 games with Texas and San Francisco since 2020, and if there’s an injury to Basallo or Adley Rutschman, he’s likely the first call.

“Opportunity, overall I just want to come out and play, and show what I can do and help the team win,” Huff said.

Huff has 12 home runs in the majors and last year threw out seven of 24 runners attempting to steal (29.2 percent) with the Giants. Those are strengths, he said.

“Hitting the ball hard, throwing the ball, but overall, trying to be a good teammate, help other guys, and when it’s my turn, take control and do what I need to do,” Huff said.

Huff is no relation to the Pro Football Hall of Famer.

“I like the comp with Sam Huff. That was a cool little thing,” Huff said.

What’s what? The Orioles announced their spring training guest coaches. Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Ben McDonald, Scott McGregor, Brian Roberts and John Shelby will return. Former Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo will return to the team for the first time since 2007.

Jones, who’s a special adviser to Elias, will be in camp from February 18^th-28^th.

What’s the word? “It definitely hurts the team. It hurts the team in the sense that, just the morale, right? These guys care and love each other.”-Albernaz on the loss of Holliday.

What’s the number? 2. According to Albernaz, that’s the number of Oriolesplayers who have yet to report to spring training. Position players aren’t scheduled to report until Sunday.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com