The Baltimore Orioles are confronting a challenging start to their season with infielder Jordan Westburg sidelined by a partially torn UCL, delaying his availability past Opening Day. This injury compounds an already strained infield situation following Jackson Holliday’s hamate bone fracture, putting further pressure on the team’s lineup and depth.
According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Westburg underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection treatment to aid recovery, but the procedure indicates he will miss the entire month of April. While PRP therapy uses the player’s own platelets to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation, there remains a risk that Westburg could require surgery to address the UCL tear fully.
Examining Jordan Westburg’s Past Injury Challenges and Performance
Jordan Westburg’s absence is a blow considering his proven impact since his major league debut in 2023. In his rookie year, Westburg posted a .260 batting average and earned a .715 OPS with three home runs and 15 RBIs, quickly establishing himself in the Orioles lineup.
Westburg continued to demonstrate his offensive potential in 2024, when he made his first All-Star team despite missing time due to a hand injury. He appeared in 107 games, batting .264 with an improved .792 OPS, 18 home runs, and 63 RBIs. His value to the Orioles was clear, contributing both power and consistent on-base ability.
However, durability has been an ongoing concern. In 2025, Westburg experienced two stints on the injured list, initially sidelined by a hamstring strain that removed him from action for more than a month. Later that season, an ankle sprain caused him to miss nearly a month from mid-August to mid-September. Despite these interruptions, he maintained solid production with a .265 average, .770 OPS, 17 home runs, and 41 RBIs.
As a former first-round draft pick, Westburg’s versatility and offensive skills have made him a cornerstone for the Orioles. The team now faces the challenge of adjusting their roster to compensate for his prolonged absence, as the UCL injury will likely keep him out through at least early May.
Orioles’ Infield Depth Tested Amid Multiple Injuries
Before Westburg’s injury was announced, the Orioles had planned to field a strong infield with Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Pete Alonso at first base, Blaze Alexander at second base, and Westburg anchoring the hot corner. Holliday’s injury already forced the team to adapt quickly, but losing Westburg creates a larger void at third base.
Blaze Alexander, who primarily played second base with the Arizona Diamondbacks before joining Baltimore, may shift to third base to cover Westburg’s role. This move would leave an opening at second base that the Orioles hope Jeremiah Jackson can fill. Jackson debuted in 2025, appearing in 48 games with a slash line of .276/.328/.447, tallying five home runs and 21 RBIs while showing promise as a dependable extra-base hitter and defender.
The dual injuries to Holliday and Westburg open opportunities for emerging players like Jackson to earn significant playing time early in the season. If Jackson can replicate his offensive output and demonstrate solid defensive capabilities, Baltimore’s infield should remain competitive even in Westburg’s absence.
Implications of Westburg’s Injury for the Orioles’ Season Outlook
Jordan Westburg’s UCL injury significantly disrupts the Orioles’ lineup plans, limiting options just as the team aims to build on recent momentum. His absence through April demands adjustments, potentially testing Baltimore’s organizational depth and the readiness of younger players like Jeremiah Jackson.
While the PRP treatment offers hope for a non-surgical recovery, the possibility of surgery looms and could extend Westburg’s time away from the field. The team’s response to this adversity will be crucial in sustaining early-season competitiveness and determining how effectively they manage infield production without one of their key contributors.
As the Orioles navigate these setbacks, the coming weeks will reveal how well their lineup adapts and whether reinforcements like Alexander and Jackson can maintain the team’s defensive stability and offensive output meanwhile watching Westburg’s recovery.
Jordan Westburg has a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and will be getting a PRP injection today, per Orioles POBO/GM Mike Elias.
Westburg will be out for all of April. Timeline TBD after that.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) February 20, 2026
