Jordan Westburg Diagnosed With Partial UCL Tear, No Surgery Planned

The Baltimore Orioles are facing a tough early-season challenge as longtime prospect-turned-regular Jordan Westburg deals with a partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear in his right elbow. The club said Westburg will get a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and won’t have surgery right away. His return depends on how well the PRP works.

This news comes just as opening-week plans are already in flux due to another infield injury. The lineup and defensive assignments are getting shuffled again.

Injury details and current prognosis

Westburg, 27, will miss at least April while the Orioles keep an eye on the PRP treatment. The team wants to avoid a more invasive option like an internal brace or Tommy John surgery, which could keep him out all year.

If PRP doesn’t do the trick, surgery is still an option. If they go that route in May, there’s a chance he could return by next spring.

Officials think the tear might have started before his recent oblique rehab. Westburg first noticed elbow pain while throwing.

The club is walking a fine line between playing it safe and hoping for a faster, non-surgical recovery. PRP is becoming more common for players who might regain strength and motion without months of downtime from surgery.

Westburg’s history matters here. Since debuting in 2023, he’s hit .264/.312/.456 with 38 homers in 1,027 plate appearances. He’s had injuries before and never played more than 107 games in a season.

That track record already raised some concerns about his durability. The elbow issue just adds to the worries as Baltimore tries to keep a strong lineup and protect a promising player.

Treatment options and timeline

The PRP route aims to help healing and keep his elbow moving without surgery. If PRP doesn’t work—after more injections or a slow response—the Orioles might consider surgery in May, hoping for a spring return next year.

For now, the medical staff will watch his symptoms, throwing velocity, and range of motion each week to see how he’s doing.

Recovery times after UCL procedures jump all over the place. Some guys come back as a DH in five to seven months, so if PRP goes well, Westburg could still see the field later this season, maybe in a limited role.

Of course, there’s a risk he’s out even longer if the elbow acts up or rehab stalls. The Orioles’ medical team will keep tracking everything as Spring Training rolls into the regular season.

Opening Day implications and infield depth

With Jackson Holliday out for Opening Day after hamate surgery, Baltimore’s infield faces more pressure and needs plenty of depth. Holliday’s absence gives others a shot at early-season work, but it also means the club has to scramble to fill Westburg’s spot and stay flexible.

The plan is to use Coby Mayo and Blaze Alexander at third, with Alexander possibly sliding to second if needed. This setup tries to keep the bats going while holding down the defense at third and in the middle infield.

Beyond Mayo and Alexander, Baltimore can turn to utility guys like Jeremiah Jackson and keep some veteran depth around as the season goes on. The Orioles seem ready to improvise for now, mixing and matching to cover Westburg’s absence with players who can handle multiple positions.

Really, the goal is to stay in the fight now and hope Westburg gets back to his 2023 form for the long run.

Depth chart and possible roster moves

To get through April and whatever comes after, the Orioles look ready to mix things up. They’ll probably lean on a blend of internal guys and maybe bring in some new faces.

The Westburg situation will put Baltimore’s medical and coaching staff to the test. Can they keep the offense moving while still protecting a player who means a lot to this club’s future? That’s the big question right now.

 
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