Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg will be out through at least April due to a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Baltimore president of baseball operations Mike Elias told reporters Friday.
Westburg will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday with the hope of avoiding an internal brace or Tommy John surgery, Elias said.
The 27-year-old was not on the field with the team for a spring training workout on Thursday, and first-year manager Craig Albernaz said, “He’s unable to participate right now,” though he did not specifically address the reason for Westburg’s absence.
Injuries have been a hindrance in Westburg’s three seasons in Baltimore, which drafted him 30th overall in 2020 out of Mississippi State.
He felt his oblique tighten on the right side early in spring training, and Elias said earlier this month that the oblique injury dates to January.
Westburg played 85 games last season and required injured list stints due to a left hamstring injury and a sprained ankle. He also missed parts of 2025 spring training with back tightness. He played 107 games in 2024 and was named an All-Star, but also missed seven weeks with a fractured hand.
In 260 career games, Westburg has a .264 batting average with 38 home runs and 127 RBIs.
The injury to Westburg means the Orioles will be without half their starting infield on Opening Day, with fellow infielder Jackson Holliday expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery Feb. 12 for a fractured hamate bone suffered during live batting practice at spring training.
