ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Orioles are receiving reinforcements during their three-game series against the American League’s hottest team.

Infielder Jackson Holliday is with the team and completed a full pregame workout ahead of the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. After manager Craig Albernaz played it coyly regarding Holliday’s potential return, the Orioles officially activated the infielder. His first appearance will be his season debut.

“Everything’s going great with him, and he’s feeling good,” Albernaz said before the roster move. “We’ll see how today goes and see how he’s feeling. Don’t like timelines. ... Nothing out of the ordinary for me. Monday’s off in the minor leagues. He’s been with us in Baltimore doing the same thing, and he’s getting his workout here now.”

A reinstatement off the injured list seemed likely, considering he received 30 plate appearances in his latest rehab stint between Double-A and Triple-A.

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Holliday has been recovering from a February surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand, and the 22-year-old has experienced a few setbacks in that process.

His return will be a boost for a team that just lost infielder Jordan Westburg for the rest of the season due to Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. During Holliday’s latest rehab assignment in the minors, he played some third base.

Earlier this month, Albernaz said Holliday playing third was meant to increase his positional versatility. He has primarily played second base in the majors and was a shortstop out of the draft when Baltimore selected him first overall in 2022.

Holliday was removed early from Triple-A Norfolk’s game on Sunday in accordance with his build-up plan. In five games for the Tides in his latest rehab stint, he had four hits, including a triple and a home run.

Last year, Holliday hit .242 with a .689 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. He tied with Gunnar Henderson and Westburg for the team lead in homers, with 17.

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Holliday broke his hamate bone during a batting practice session right before spring training. As he worked his way back, continued pain and discomfort in the hand and wrist prevented him from making a return.

In April, for instance, a swing during a game for Norfolk made him feel as though he had broken his hand again. Subsequent imaging showed all was fine.