Jackson

Holliday

Holliday returned to Baltimore’s lineup following a four-game absence due to a lingering groin issue. There was some concern he would wind up requiring a trip to the injured list as the issue persisted, which makes it a positive sign that he was back in the mix for Friday’s series opener.

Holliday is playing second base and batting eighth against the Nationals and lefty Andrew Alvarez. This makes 10 times the Orioles have faced lefties since Holliday returned from the IL (not counting Tuesday, when he was hurt). He’s started five of those games and sat five times.

Holliday will miss his third straight contest due to an ongoing groin issue. There’s been no indication that he’ll require a trip to the injured list, but that possibility can’t be completely dismissed. It’ll be Jeremiah Jackson taking another turn at second base in his absence. Holliday is presumably day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s series finale in Los Angeles.

Holliday remains on the bench for the second consecutive contest after exiting Saturday’s game against the Dodgers with groin tightness. It’s always challenging to rule out a potential trip to the injured list, but the Orioles have the depth to give the 22-year-old former top prospect a couple days off before making that determination. He’s presumably day-to-day for now. It’ll be Jeremiah Jackson drawing another start at the keystone in his place at Angel Stadium on Monday night.

No surprise after Holliday was removed from Saturday night’s win at Dodger Stadium with groin tightness. The 22-year-old former top prospect has hit .200 (17-for-85) with 14 runs scored, four homers, 12 RBI and three steals in 29 games since making his season debut back on May 19. He downplayed concern while talking to reporters on Sunday afternoon that he’ll wind up requiring a trip to the injured list ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Angels. It’ll be Jeremiah Jackson filling in at second base and hitting ninth on Sunday afternoon in his place.

Jeremiah Jackson took over at second base after Holliday went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. This doesn’t appear to be anything significant, but Jackson could start over Holliday on Sunday.

Holliday had the two longest-hit balls of the game, coming in at 399 feet with his homer in the ninth and 377 feet on a fifth-inning flyout. He’s still hitting just .194 since his return from a broken hamate bone, but with four homers and 10 walks, his OPS is a more respectable .671.

The long ball was his only hit of the contest. The former top prospect is slashing just .220/.319/.424 through 20 games this year, though patience is warranted given his age and return from injury. Baltimore eased him into the everyday lineup after he was activated from the IL, but he’s now started in eight straight. The long-term upside is still present, but Holliday has yet to force his way into the fantasy conversation in shallower formats.

Holliday’s no-doubter to right field came off Blue Jays reliever Austin Voth in the fourth inning. His second round-tripper of the season traveled 406 feet and carried a sky-high 34 degree launch angle. The 22-year-old former top prospect is hitting .259 (7-for-27) with two homers, five RBI and three steals in 10 games since making his season debut back on May 19.

Holliday broke a 4-4 tie in the fourth inning with his 337-foot (93.5 mph EV) two-run shot off of Jack Flaherty. He also led off the third inning with a single and rode home on Pete Alonso’s three-run bomb. With his two-hit attack on Friday, the 22-year-old infielder is now 2-for-7 (.286) through his first three games on the season.