Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg will be out of the lineup until at least May after being diagnosed with a partial ligament tear in his right elbow, general manager Mike Elias said Friday. The injury is a setback for Baltimore as it prepares for the upcoming season and shapes its infield alignment for the early portion of the schedule.
Elias described the issue as a partial tear of a ligament in Westburg’s throwing elbow. While he did not provide a detailed medical timetable, he confirmed that the 26-year-old will be sidelined at least through the end of April. The club will monitor Westburg’s recovery and adjust the timeline as more information becomes available, but for now the expectation is that he will miss the first month of the regular season.
The Orioles had projected Westburg to play a prominent role at third base after he impressed with his versatility and power. His absence creates an opening on the left side of the infield and forces the team to evaluate internal options and potential roster moves as camp continues. Baltimore has emphasized in recent years the importance of defensive stability and depth, and the club will now test that depth sooner than anticipated.
A partial ligament tear in the elbow typically requires a careful progression back to throwing and hitting, with the team’s medical staff overseeing each step. Elias indicated that the organization intends to be cautious rather than rushing Westburg back, prioritizing his long-term health over any short-term lineup concerns. The decision to rule him out at least through April reflects that conservative approach.
Westburg’s injury also affects the Orioles’ broader infield picture, including how they distribute playing time among other infielders during spring training and early in the regular season. Baltimore will likely use the coming weeks to evaluate players who can handle third base responsibilities and adjust their depth chart while Westburg recovers.
Further updates on Westburg’s status are expected as the season approaches and the Orioles gain a clearer sense of his progress in rehab and readiness to return to full baseball activities.
