The Baltimore Orioles entered spring training expecting only a brief absence from Jordan Westburg, after the club announced he had suffered an oblique strain a few weeks before camp opened in Sarasota.
The injury, discovered through imaging after Westburg woke up with soreness, was expected to sideline him for only a handful of exhibition games. Team officials expressed confidence he would be ready for Opening Day, and early signs — including light running and throwing — reinforced that belief.
But concern escalated Thursday when manager Craig Albernaz said Westburg was “physically unable to participate,” declining to clarify whether the issue stemmed from his oblique or a rumored elbow injury. Reports earlier in the day revealed that Westburg had undergone imaging on his elbow, prompting further questions.
“Just physically unable to go,” Albernaz said. “I just want to make sure that we do our due diligence and make sure Jordan has the best chance to play this year.”
Speculation intensified when president of baseball operations and acting-GM Mike Elias scheduled a morning press conference. Shortly after it began, news surfaced: Westburg has a partial UCL tear and will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Westy is expected to miss all of April and will be reevaluated thereafter. Upon his return, Elias suggested he could initially see time as the team’s designated hitter.
The diagnosis is more favorable than many feared, but it still leaves Baltimore short-handed. With Jackson Holliday recovering from hamate surgery and projected to return in mid-April, the Orioles will open the season without their projected starting second and third basemen. That creates an opportunity for Coby Mayo, Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson to compete for starting roles.
Westburg, a 2024 All-Star, owns a .264/.312/.456 slash line over 260 career games. Durability, however, has been an issue.
He has never appeared in more than 107 games in a season, has already made four trips to the injured list and will begin 2026 there as well. His shortest IL stint to date has lasted four weeks.
Elias also announced that right-hander Keagan Gillies is dealing with a severe quad strain and will miss at least six weeks.
It is not the start to camp Baltimore envisioned. Still, Grapefruit League play began today, and the season, despite early adversity, moves forward.
The Orioles defeated the New York Yankees, 2-0, in the spring opener from Ed Smith Stadium in sunny Sarasota on Friday. Pete Alonso accounted for both of Baltimore’s runs, as he blasted a two-run home run to left field.
Trevor Rogers pitched a scoreless two innings of work with two strikeouts, as his fastball topped at 94 mph on the radar gun.
Top pitching prospect Trey Gibson pitched the final three innings of the game, totaling three strikeouts and earning the save.
The Orioles also announced during the game that the team has re-claimed infielder Bryan Ramos off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. To make room on the 40-man roster, Félix Bautista has been placed on the 60-day injured list.
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