Orioles’ Jackson Holliday remains out of lineup again with groin tightness

Jackson Holliday is still out of the Baltimore Orioles’ lineup on Monday, continuing a short stretch of absence tied to groin tightness. The 22-year-old infielder sat again as the Orioles opened a three-game series at Angel Stadium, and the team’s beat coverage indicated his return “should be coming soon.”

Monday marked Holliday’s second consecutive day away from game action. While the Orioles did not place him into the starting lineup, he did participate in pregame work before the game, a common sign that a player is progressing through a minor issue rather than being sidelined in more serious fashion.

Groin tightness can be a tricky ailment for infielders because of the repeated lateral movements demanded by plays at shortstop and second base, along with the need to explode out of the box and on throws. For an Orioles team looking for stability in the middle of the diamond, even a small restriction can affect timing and movement quality, so a brief, cautious approach is often prioritized.

The timing of Holliday’s absence also matters. The Orioles are in a stretch where a regular lineup rhythm can be important, particularly for an infielder expected to handle both routine plays and the sharper ranges of defensive work. Keeping Holliday out while he remains tight, rather than forcing him into action before he is fully ready, helps the Orioles protect both his health and the effectiveness of their everyday lineup.

Although Holliday is not in the lineup for Monday’s game, the indication that he completed pregame work points toward a day-to-day monitoring process. In these situations, teams typically weigh how the player moves during warmups, whether he can run and cut without discomfort, and whether his throwing and fielding look normal at game speed. If those checks come back clean, the Orioles would have a clear path to getting him back into the lineup quickly.

Holliday’s role with Baltimore is that of a core piece in the infield mix, and his presence gives the Orioles a more consistent option for both defense and lineup construction. For Monday and the immediate days ahead, manager and coaching staff attention will likely focus on whether he can progress from pregame work to full game readiness, with a return picture that could shape how the team orders at-bats and aligns its infield staffing.

What to watch next is simple: whether Holliday is added to the Orioles’ starting lineup in the next game after Monday, and whether the groin tightness is still referenced as a limiting factor. If he continues to be active in pregame work while remaining out of the lineup, the situation is likely leaning toward short-term rest and careful ramp-up. If the Orioles move him into the lineup, it would indicate the tightness has eased enough for him to resume regular responsibilities.