Orioles’ Jordan Westburg Undergoes MRI for Elbow Injury

The latest from Orioles camp? It’s all about Jordan Westburg’s health and how the club plans to cover possible injuries at shortstop and third base. Westburg’s dealing with an oblique strain, and now he’s getting his elbow checked out too.

Baltimore’s juggling a short-term roster patch and thinking about longer-term depth as Opening Day creeps closer. This whole mess also connects to Jackson Holliday’s injury and how the O’s want to balance their prized prospects with veteran backups.

Injury Update: Westburg’s Status

Westburg, 27, has been slowed by an oblique strain and just went for elbow imaging after more concerns popped up. Manager Craig Albernaz said Westburg can’t participate right now, and the Orioles’ medical staff plus some outside specialists are figuring out what’s next for him.

Depending on what they find, Westburg might join Holliday — who’s already out with a hamate fracture — on the injured list to start the season. That’s not exactly ideal for a team hoping to get off to a hot start.

When he’s healthy, Westburg hits: his .264/.312/.456 line over 1,027 plate appearances proves it. But injuries keep tripping him up.

Since his 2023 debut, he’s dealt with a broken hand, two hamstring strains, and an ankle sprain, getting into just 341 games across the majors and minors in three years. Baltimore’s definitely watching his recovery with a bit of anxiety as the season opener gets closer.

Westburg’s Injury History and What It Means for the Opening Week

With Westburg’s status up in the air, the Orioles are scrambling a bit to figure out how to handle the early games without a steady third baseman. They’re also weighing whether Mayo or another in-house option can step in now — or if they’ll need to wait a bit longer.

Mayo: A Long-Term Pivot at Third Base?

Baltimore’s been giving Coby Mayo, the 24-year-old former top prospect, more third-base work this spring. He’s mostly played first base in the majors, but the O’s want to see if he can handle third more often.

Mayo’s name has come up in winter trade rumors, but if Westburg’s out, it might not make sense to move him unless they get a proven middle infielder in return.

Trade and Proximity to the Major League Roster

If Westburg misses significant time, Mayo’s reps at third could become pretty important for Baltimore’s plans. The Orioles might also look for an unsigned infield or utility guy to boost depth, instead of rushing Mayo into an everyday role before he’s ready.

Internal Depth and Outside Options to Consider

Beyond Mayo, Baltimore could lean on a mix of internal versatility and veteran free agents to plug the gaps. They could go after unsigned infielders like Ramón Urías, José Iglesias, Emmanuel Rivera, Jon Berti, or Luis Urías for some extra coverage.

There’s also Blaze Alexander, who came over from Arizona. He adds depth at second and third and might be in the mix if Westburg’s out for a while.

• Westburg replacement options:
• Internal: Coby Mayo at third, Blaze Alexander as a multi-position bench piece
• External: unsigned infielders such as Ramón Urías, José Iglesias, Emmanuel Rivera, Jon Berti, Luis Urías

Looking Ahead: Opening Week Implications

Spring training is rolling, and the Orioles are trying to figure out when Westburg might return. At the same time, they’re watching Mayo’s trial run at third base—will it actually work for those first few weeks?

If Holliday isn’t ready, things get even trickier. Suddenly, the team has to think harder about using veterans who can bounce around the infield.

They’ll need to walk a line between moving fast and staying patient. I’d expect them to lean on guys who can play all over, maybe even snag a last-minute signing if someone interesting pops up.

Honestly, it’s a bit of a juggling act. The Orioles have to keep the lineup strong while Westburg and Holliday work their way back.

Over the next week, we’ll see just how bold they get about filling the gap. Will they fast-track Mayo at third, or do they trust a veteran to hold things down?

 
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