Jordan Westburg 'Physically Unable' to Start Spring Training for Orioles

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg is currently sidelined from spring training activities due to a right oblique injury and a new elbow issue.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg is currently "physically unable" to participate in spring training following a right oblique injury sustained during the offseason. Manager Craig Albernaz confirmed the news on Thursday, noting that the infielder, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Wednesday, is also dealing with a potential new elbow issue. The organization is currently utilizing its medical team and external specialists to evaluate Westburg’s condition and establish a recovery timeline for the 2024 All-Star.

Westburg’s absence creates a significant void in the Orioles' infield rotation, especially considering his 2024 production. Last season, he posted a .265 batting average across 107 games, tallying 18 home runs and 63 RBIs. His campaign was interrupted two weeks after his All-Star appearance when he suffered a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch. This followed a previous season where he hit .265 with 17 homers and 41 RBIs in 85 games, a year also marred by a left hamstring strain and a right ankle sprain.

Medical Evaluations and Managerial Outlook

First-year manager Craig Albernaz addressed reporters on Thursday to clarify the status of the Jordan Westburg injury. He emphasized that the club is performing due diligence to ensure the third baseman has the best possible chance to contribute during the upcoming season. The specific nature of the elbow issue remains under investigation, as the team seeks a comprehensive plan to address both the lingering oblique strain and the new arm discomfort. Albernaz stated that the player is simply unable to go at this stage of the preseason.

Outside consultants have been brought in to assist the Orioles' internal medical staff in the diagnostic process. The goal of these consultations is to determine if the elbow complication is related to his previous injuries or a standalone setback. This cautious approach is intended to prevent further aggravation of the right-side oblique muscle, which is critical for a power hitter’s rotational mechanics. The team has not yet provided a specific date for when Westburg might begin baseball activities in Sarasota.

Impact on the Orioles Infield Depth

The timing of Westburg’s physical inability to play is compounded by other health issues within the Baltimore roster. The Orioles are already confirmed to be without second baseman Jackson Holliday for the start of the regular season. Holliday underwent surgery last week to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand. With both Westburg and Holliday unavailable, the Baltimore coaching staff must reconfigure their defensive alignment and middle-infield depth charts as they progress through the spring schedule.

Westburg’s versatility has been a key asset for Baltimore, as evidenced by his high game totals in 2024 before the hand fracture. His ability to provide power from the third base position, evidenced by his 35 total home runs over the last two seasons, is a difficult metric to replace. The team is now forced to look at internal options to fill the hot corner while their primary starter undergoes further testing. The medical team’s priority remains stabilizing Westburg’s oblique to ensure he does not face a recurring stint on the injured list once the season commences.

Historical Injury Context for Westburg

This latest setback adds to a series of physical challenges Westburg has faced over the past 24 months. During his 85-game stint two years ago, the infielder lost significant time to a right ankle sprain and a strain in his left hamstring. Despite these lower-body issues, he maintained a consistent .265 average. His 2024 season showed increased durability and power output until the hit-by-pitch incident broke his right hand, halting a season that had earned him national recognition as an All-Star.

The current combination of a right oblique strain and an elbow issue represents the first time Westburg has dealt with multiple upper-body concerns simultaneously. As the Orioles continue their spring training program in Florida, the focus remains on the results of the external evaluations. The club is prioritizing a long-term "plan in place" over a rushed return to the field, ensuring that Westburg’s 27th year is not defined by the same physical limitations that hampered his previous two campaigns.