Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has had a rough year in 2026. The former American League Rookie of the Year has taken a step back at the plate this season. The 25-year-old has appeared in 145 games and posted a .219 batting average, .303 on-base percentage and .698 OPS, all of which would be career lows if the season ended today.
The Orioles are fighting for their playoff lives right now, and it is hard to imagine they would not be in a much better position if Henderson were playing to the level he is capable of. He is a former All-Star and Silver Slugger who has earned multiple top-10 finishes in AL MVP voting, and this version of him has been a significant disappointment.
Unfortunately, Henderson’s difficult season took a turn for the worse during Tuesday’s matchup with the Cleveland Guardians. One of the only positives for Henderson this year has been his availability, as he has missed just one game all season.
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That streak may now be in jeopardy. In the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game, Henderson fouled a pitch off his foot. He stayed in and worked a walk, but as he ran toward second base it was clear he could not continue.
Carlos Narvaez entered as a pinch runner and also made an unexpected appearance on the infield in the bottom half of the inning.
After the game, manager Craig Albernaz provided an update on Henderson’s condition, revealing that the pitch actually struck his knee rather than his foot. The awkward running motion that followed was the primary reason for his removal, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.
It is unclear if Henderson will be able to return for Wednesday’s series finale against Cleveland. If not, Jackson Holliday could take over at shortstop.
