Jackson Holliday excelling in Orioles spring training

Jackson Holliday, an infielder for the Baltimore Orioles, had a strong spring training. He hit .333 with an .865 OPS, showing improvement from last season. Holliday is expected to make the team this year, unlike last spring when his exclusion caused fan disappointment. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Holliday would be on the team flight for opening day but did not specify his position—either second base or shortstop. Holliday expressed confidence in his skills, noting he feels ready to contribute. This spring, Holliday showcased his abilities, including hitting three extra-base hits and stealing five bases. He emphasized that he was content with his performance and looked forward to building on it. With teammate Gunnar Henderson starting the season on the injured list, Holliday might take the role of opening day shortstop. He said that playing in his first opening day will be a surreal experience. In roster news, outfielder Dylan Carlson had an impressive spring with a 1.071 OPS but will be sent to Triple-A Norfolk. Another standout, Vimael Machín, also excelled this spring, hitting .400, but his chance for a roster spot remains uncertain. As opening day approaches, the Orioles are finalizing their roster. Some players are competing for the last positions, including infielder and reliever options. The Orioles will face the Toronto Blue Jays in their first game of the season.