The Orioles ran infield drills earlier today before early hitting, and Jackson Holliday moved his defensive workout to third base.

There was a reason for it.

Holliday later told Orioles broadcaster Ben Wagner that he was going to play some third base on his injury rehab assignment, and manager Craig Albernaz confirmed to the media after a 6-2 loss to the Athletics that the former No. 1 prospect would make occasional starts at the position.

The first appearance is coming Sunday afternoon with Double-A Chesapeake. Holliday will rejoin Triple-A Norfolk next week, with the Tides beginning a series Tuesday in Charlotte.

“We talked to him, see where his head is at, and he was for it,” Albernaz said. “I think if you look at our roster, versatility is something that we need. … He has the ability to play second and short and third, so we’ll see what it looks like when he gets down there.”

Albernaz watched Holliday take ground balls at third today and said he looked good.

Holliday’s only two professional appearances at third came in 2023 at the High-A and Double-A levels. He’s mostly played second, making 136 starts last season, compared to six at shortstop.

The plan called for Holliday to be the regular second baseman this season, but a broken right hamate bone and subsequent surgery in February forced him onto the injured list. He’s been shut down twice during his rehab assignment, most recently after one at-bat with Norfolk, due to pain in his hand.

Albernaz explained to the media that the Orioles want to increase Holliday’s versatility, and their own, by having him add third base to his defensive repertoire.

Third baseman Jordan Westburg is shut down from his baseball activities due to pain in his right elbow, where he received a platelet-rich plasma injection in spring training after an MRI revealed a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. He’s hoping to avoid surgery, but the latest news is alarming.

Westburg will have a follow-up appointment on Monday, per Albernaz.

Albernaz said earlier today that Jeremiah Jackson could return to third base on occasion but there are no current plans to move him from second. He hasn’t worked out at the position this year.

Coby Mayo started at third again today and is struggling to find consistency.

The Orioles made a bold move in 2012 by having Manny Machado learn to play third base at Double-A Bowie and promoting him to the majors in an attempt to upgrade the defense. The rest is history.

Holliday isn’t the exact same type of experiment and he’s already a major leaguer, but it’s similar in how the Orioles are searching for ways to improve defensively.

They need to improve their overall play, with today’s loss lowering their record to 17-23. Shane Baz allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings and raised his ERA to 5.48.

The Athletics will try for the sweep on Sunday.