Orioles’ Jackson Holliday Returning to MLB: Report

Following a flurry of moves at the MLB trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles are recalling Jackson Holliday. The team announced the move on X (formerly known as Twitter) on July 31.

Holliday will take the place of Terrin Vavra, who was called up after Connor Norby was traded to the Miami Marlins on July 30. Norby was standing in for starting second baseman Jorge Mateo, who’s out with a dislocated left elbow.

There’s an opportunity for Holliday to make his claim as Baltimore’s everyday second baseman. Mateo was moved to the 60-Day Injured List on July 30, pushing his return window to late September.

It’s a second MLB stint for Holliday, who went 2-for-34 during a 10-game stretch earlier this season. He’s slashing .259/.421/.455 with 8 home runs and 29 RBIs since returning to the minors.

Holliday will bat eighth and start at second base in his return to the Orioles, a July 31 matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Holliday On Return: ‘I’m Definitely More Prepared’

Ahead of his return to the Baltimore lineup, Holliday spoke with reporters about his journey back to MLB.

“Obviously this is the best league in the world, definitely got shown that,” Holliday said on July 31. “Looking forward to tonight, just getting back out there and playing. I feel like I’m definitely more prepared than I was last time.”

Holliday worked his all around game while back in Triple-A. But his presence at the plate was the focus.

“I’m someone who likes to work my all-around game,” Holliday continued. “So, getting better at defense, and offense, trying to cut down swing-and-miss especially on fastballs. It’s important to hit strikes. That’s kind of the main goal, flatten out the swing a little bit, get back to what I was doing last year.”

Asked whether or not he carries a different mindset this time around, Holliday said he’s focusing on the positives.

“Just gonna enjoy it,” Holliday said. “Enjoy being here, and being present. I feel like last time it was all a blur. Just glad to be up here and enjoy every moment with these guys and have fun.”

Mike Elias Talks Trade Deadline

General manager Mike Elias and the Orioles front office stayed busy throughout the MLB’s trade deadline cycle.

All in all, Baltimore acquired two starting pitchers, two relief pitchers, and three hitters. Elias told reporters on July 31 that he feels the roster is better positioned for a deep playoff run.

“I think we have an excellent team with as good a shot as anybody, and we have a lot more pitching than we did a week ago,” Elias said, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. “So overall I’m happy with the process, the work that we did. A lot of people in our front office worked really, really hard, and I had everything I needed to be prepared. The decisions are mine but the work was there and the support and flexibility from the ownership group was imperative, too. We’ll see how the chips fall, but I feel like we did what we needed to give this team the support that it deserves.”

On bringing Holliday back, Elias told reporters the 20-year-old has a chance to take the second base job this season.

“I think this is a good chance for him and we’re gonna give it some time,” Elias continued. “Hopefully it’s gonna be really good. Really happy for him and proud of the work that he put in. I don’t want to put any pressure on him. This is a time period where he’s got some runway in front of him because of the vacancy that we have at second base right now.”