ANAHEIM -- Jackson Holliday's return to the Orioles’ lineup won't come until the team returns home later this week.
Holliday was out of the lineup for the fourth straight game due to groin tightness on Wednesday, when the O's concluded their three-game series at Angel Stadium with a 7-6, 10-inning loss. But the 22-year-old infielder did enter as a pinch-hitter for Coby Mayo in the ninth inning, striking out on a foul tip, after he went through pregame work on the field for the third consecutive day.
His status remains day to day, but it's plausible he could return to the lineup for Friday night's opener vs. the Nationals at Camden Yards.
"I think it's one of those things where we're balancing where Jackson's at -- and he's trending in the right direction -- but also, with the off-day coming [Thursday], being able to make sure he's fully healthy," manager Craig Albernaz said. "We'll see how he feels when he comes out of this."
Holliday said he first felt some tightness in his groin during Friday's loss at Dodger Stadium. He stayed in the game, though, and started again the next day. However, he aggravated the ailment while running out a ground ball in the sixth inning of Saturday's win, leading to his removal from the contest in the eighth.
"I don't think it's anything that serious, just kind of precautionary," Holliday said on Sunday morning. "Don't want to make nothing into something, you know? Just going to take it easy and hopefully should be good."
Holliday began the season on the injured list after undergoing right hamate surgery on Feb. 12. His rehab work was paused several times as he managed some soreness/discomfort, so he didn't make his 2026 debut until May 19 at Tampa Bay.
Now in his third MLB season, Holliday is hitting .200 with two doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBIs and a .674 OPS over 29 games. In his absence, Jeremiah Jackson has been starting at second base for Baltimore.
Westburg visiting team post-Tommy John surgery
Jordan Westburg is with the Orioles this week at Angel Stadium, moving his recovery from Tommy John surgery from Sarasota, Fla., to Anaheim for a few days. The 27-year-old infielder underwent the season-ending procedure on May 13.
Though Westburg said he is only doing minimal activity at the moment -- primarily workouts in the weight room and staying in shape -- he expects to begin a running progression soon. As for a potential timeline, he believes it's realistic he'll be ready to go for Spring Training 2027.
"I don't see a reason why I wouldn't be able to be full go," Westburg said. "In my mind, I'm going to prepare and do everything I can in this rehab to be in that first Spring Training game. I think that's a real possibility."
Westburg noted he's been watching every Orioles game during the rehab process, and he has a lot of belief in his teammates to make a strong push during the second half of the season.
"This clubhouse is built on a lot of strong-minded guys who love to win and love to compete," Westburg said. "I'm pretty confident that, sooner rather than later, things are going to click for this club."