Jordan Westburg to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery for Orioles

In a significant blow to the Baltimore Orioles, infielder Jordan Westburg’s season has come to an abrupt end as he prepares to undergo surgery to repair a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. This news, first reported by The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka, casts a shadow over the team’s infield plans for the remainder of the 2026 season, although the organization has yet to officially confirm the decision.

The inevitability of this outcome became apparent when Westburg first began experiencing elbow pain during his recovery from an earlier oblique injury sustained at the start of spring training. Initially, the oblique soreness was the primary concern, but it was during the rehabilitation process that the extent of the elbow issue emerged.

Westburg and the Orioles opted for a conservative approach, initially pursuing a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection along with rest and rehabilitation instead of rushing into surgery. However, this pathway often presents a low success rate for MLB players hoping to avoid surgical intervention. As Westburg attempted to ramp up his throwing progression, the pain re-emerged, leading to the latest decision.

The delay in addressing the injury raises questions about Westburg’s readiness for the 2027 season. If he recovers smoothly, there is a possibility he could return close to full strength by Opening Day. However, if complications arise, he may not be able to return to the field until around Memorial Day next year, complicating the Orioles’ roster plans.

Without Westburg, the Orioles are facing challenges at third base, a position that has struggled significantly this season. The collective performance of Orioles third basemen has been lackluster, hitting just .182/.264/.259. Defensively, they rank as the worst in the league in Outs Above Average, contributing to the team’s overall struggles. Westburg was seen as a solution to these issues, but now the team must find a way to improve in his absence.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.