jeremiah jackson made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster but will not start Thursday’s game against the Twins. The Orioles are turning to Blaze Alexander at second base for the opener, leaving jeremiah jackson out of the lineup. The decision signals a part-time role to begin the season, even with Jackson Holliday (hand) and Jordan Westburg (elbow) on the injured list, as of Thursday in Eastern Time (ET).
Roster spot secured, but no start Thursday
The Orioles kept jeremiah jackson for the final position-player spot on the Opening Day roster after he beat out multiple competitors for the job. Still, the immediate usage is limited: Jackson is out of the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Twins, and the club will open with Alexander at second base.
Early-season playing time remains unsettled. Even with Holliday and Westburg sidelined on the injured list, jeremiah jackson appears positioned for a part-time role to begin the year rather than an everyday assignment.
How the infield is lining up with injuries
With Westburg unavailable, Coby Mayo is expected to serve as the primary replacement at third base. That alignment narrows the immediate path to regular at-bats for jeremiah jackson on the left side of the infield.
At second base, the Orioles could choose a timeshare approach between jeremiah jackson and Blaze Alexander while Holliday is out, but the opener points to Alexander getting the first opportunity. Thursday’s lineup choice places Alexander at the keystone and keeps jeremiah jackson on the bench.
Immediate reactions and what to watch next
No on-record comments from Orioles officials, team representatives, or named players were available in the provided information as of Thursday (ET). The only confirmed on-field decision is the opener alignment: Alexander starts at second base, and jeremiah jackson is out of the lineup against the Twins.
Quick context: jeremiah jackson earned the final position-player spot on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster, but two infielders—Holliday and Westburg—are currently on the injured list with hand and elbow issues, respectively.
What’s next: The next indicator will be whether the Orioles move toward a second-base timeshare between jeremiah jackson and Alexander in the games following Thursday’s opener, or if Alexander continues to receive the first run of starts while Holliday remains out.
