Gunnar

Henderson

Last year, it was a shoulder issue that explained Henderson’s decline. We don’t doubt that a wrist injury limited him this year, but the fact that remains that he wasn’t very good in the half of the season before it apparently became a problem. His decline from future-Hall of Fame superstar to above average regular is probably the biggest of the several issues currently plaguing the Orioles, even if he’s still providing way more value than what he’s making in terms of salary.

Henderson’s three-hit effort included a solo homer off Toronto rookie reliever Chad Dallas as he finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle. It’s been a down year relative to expectations for Henderson, especially in the stolen base department where he has just 10 thefts after reaching the 30-steal mark last year.

Henderson’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a go-ahead home run in eighth inning. Henderson’s home run was his first since August 30 against the Athletics, a span of 12 games where he hit .214 with no RBI as well. He’s hitting .223 with a .710 OPS and 58 RBI this year. Henderson has 40 home runs in his last 303 games since hitting 37 home runs in 159 games in 2024.

The 25-year-old shortstop was held out of Wednesday’s lineup due to left knee discomfort. He appears to be doing much better after Thursday’s off-day though and is back in there at shortstop and batting fifth for the O’s against Blue Jays’ righty Max Scherzer.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz described Henderson as day-to-day for now. The 25-year-old shortstop’s left knee locked up on him shortly after he fouled a ball off his leg during the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to require a trip to the injured list at this juncture, but fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status leading into Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Henderson’s left knee locked up on him after he fouled a ball off his leg in the eighth inning. He was lifted for precautionary reasons and it doesn’t appear to be a significant concern. There should be additional clarity on his status heading into Wednesday’s series finale.

Henderson was lifted for a pinch-runner after fouling a ball off his left leg in the eighth inning. He finished 0-for-3 with a walk. He’ll presumably undergo X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status before Wednesday’s series finale.

It’s the fourth time since 1954 that a Baltimore hitter has picked up two homers and a triple in the same game. Henderson also singled and scored three runs in an effort that is both encouraging as a reminder that the 25-year-old has upper-echelon talent, and frustrating because there just haven’t been close to enough games that even resemble this one. He is up to 22 homers on the campaign, but they come with a disappointing .715 OPS.

Henderson will get a break against southpaw Jacob Lopez to open the three-game series against the A’s. Blaze Alexander will get the start in Henderson’s absence, and hit leadoff in the process.

Batting out of the five hole for the first time since 2023, Henderson had one of his best nights of the season in Friday’s win. Henderson singled in his first two at-bats of the night and came around to score in the seventh inning after leading off the frame with a double. In the eighth inning, Henderson blasted a two-run homer off reliever Kevin Kelly to push the O’s lead to 6-2. Henderson has now homered 20-plus times in three of his last four seasons, and could see more opportunities lower in the order after tonight’s performance.