The Baltimore Orioles will begin the 2026 regular season without two key infielders: second baseman Jackson Holliday and third baseman Jordan Westburg. Holliday underwent surgery to address a fractured hamate bone in his right hand 10 days ago. As for Westburg, the third baseman was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, according to a report from MLB.com's Jake Rill on Friday.
Coby Mayo and Blaze Alexander will likely start at third base and second base, respectively, in place of Holliday and Westburg. The Orioles may look to the free agent market for another infielder or two, but they could also give opportunities to players already in the organization. One infielder Baltimore could have on its Opening Day Roster is former Twins minor-leaguer Payton Eeles, who is a non-roster invitee in the Orioles' big-league camp this spring. Eeles, whom the Orioles acquired from the Twins in exchange for catcher Alex Jackson early in the offseason, is mainly a second baseman who has also logged minor-league innings at shortstop and left field.
Jackson Holliday's, Jordan Westburg's injuries create opportunity for former Twins minor leaguer Payton Eeles
Eeles, who stands at 5'5", has had an interesting professional career. After spending four collegiate seasons at Division II Cedarville University in Ohio, the left-handed hitter transferred to Division I Coastal Carolina University for his fifth and final collegiate season before going undrafted in 2023. He played independent ball before signing with the Twins in May 2024.
During his first season in the Twins organization, Eeles, 26, hit an outstanding .306/.435/.497 with 12 home runs, eight triples, 19 doubles, 60 RBI and 41 stolen bases in 469 plate appearances, jumping from Low-A to High-A before heading straight to Triple-A.
Following offseason knee surgery, Eeles missed the first two months of the Saints' 2025 season. He rejoined the team on June 2 after rehabbing in the low minors.
Eeles regressed upon returning from the IL last season, hitting .253/.379/.321 with four homers and 21 stolen bases in 86 games with the Saints. Still, his solid .379 on-base percentage suggests he could be a decent big-league hitter. Even when he struggles, he still manages to reach base at an above-average level.
If Eeles were to perform well enough this spring to make the Orioles' 26-man roster, he would likely mainly be a bench player. His ability to steal bases helps his chances of making the team as well. He will more than likely begin the season in Triple-A, but Holliday's and Westburg's injuries make his odds of cracking the Opening Day roster a lot higher than before.