SARASOTA, Fla. — A second injury will delay Jordan Westburg’s start to the 2026 season — and further ravage the Orioles’ projected starting infield for Opening Day.
After dealing with a tweaked right oblique early in Spring Training, Westburg now also has a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced on Friday. The 27-year-old will will get a PRP injection on Friday and will be out for all of April. His timeline is TBD after that.
Westburg, who was the projected starting third baseman, and second baseman Jackson Holliday (broken hamate bone in right hand) will both begin the year on the injured list. Holliday should return much earlier, though, as the 22-year-old is expected to be playing by mid-April.
It’s another tough blow for Westburg, whose career has been filled with injuries to this point. The 2024 All-Star didn’t play more than 107 games in any of his first three MLB seasons.
In 2024, Westburg missed nearly two months due to a fractured right hand. In ‘25, he dealt with a back ailment in Spring Training, though he was ready to go by Opening Day. He later went on the IL because of a left hamstring strain (April 27-June 10) and a right ankle sprain (Aug. 19-Sept. 16) and missed some games with a left index finger injury.
Westburg tweaked his right oblique in mid-January, which Elias shared on the first day of Spring Training workouts on Feb. 11. Elias thought Westburg had turned a corner at that point and that he’d only miss a few Grapefruit League games without putting his Opening Day status in jeopardy.
When healthy, Westburg has been among Baltimore’s top hitters. Last year, he hit .265 with 10 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .770 OPS in 85 games. He owns a .264/.312/.456 slash line over 260 career games.
The absence of Westburg will open a starting opportunity for Coby Mayo, who had been part of a logjam at first base with Pete Alonso and Ryan Mountcastle. Mayo, a former top prospect, played third base when coming up through the Minors — and early in his two-year MLB career — and has been getting most of his work at the position this spring.
With Holliday and Westburg ticketed for the IL, utility man Blaze Alexander and Mayo are the favorites to start at second and third, respectively. Alexander could get more time at third once Holliday returns.
There also could now be a roster spot open for infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson, who can play second, third and right field. The 25-year-old has primarily been at second during camp workouts this spring.
