Orioles' Jordan Westburg to miss start of 2026 after partial UCL tear

Jordan Westburg, a 27-year-old infielder for the Baltimore Orioles, has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, team medical staff announced after imaging in mid-February. Westburg received a platelet-rich plasma injection on Feb. 20 and the club said he will miss the start of the 2026 season, with MLB.com reporting he is expected to miss Opening Day and at least the first month; some outlets say the Orioles expect him to miss all of April.

Speaking in the Spring Training clubhouse in Sarasota, Fla., Westburg acknowledged the toll of the diagnosis. “You can imagine how frustrating and disappointing it is,” he told MLB.com’s Jake Rill. “But at the same time, what am I going to do about it? I do feel like I was doing everything the right way, or to the best of my knowledge the right way. And these things are still happening.” NESN reproduced those comments and added Westburg’s assessment: “This wears on you mentally.”

Medical sources and reporting describe the team’s plan as non-surgical for now: imaging revealed the partial UCL tear in mid-February, Westburg was given a PRP injection Feb. 20, and he will rest in hopes of avoiding surgery. The Orioles did not provide a firm timeline beyond the initial absence; MLB.com and NESN emphasize the uncertainty and the club’s cautious approach to a right-elbow ligament injury that can carry varying recovery paths.

If Westburg is able to return but still has limitations throwing or playing the infield, team coverage has raised the possibility he could be used as a designated hitter. NESN noted Westburg pointed to Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper as examples of hitters who returned after PRP treatment. Yahoo Sports reported the club’s uncertainty about whether he would be able to play the field if he returns.

Westburg’s elbow issue layers on a string of injuries dating to mid-2024. He fractured his right hand in 2024 and played 107 games that year, according to NESN. In 2025 he dealt with lower back soreness in Spring Training, an undisclosed upper-body issue in late March/early April, a left hamstring strain that put him on the injured list from April 27 to June 10, a left index finger sprain in mid-June that was re-aggravated in late June and early July, and a right ankle sprain that placed him on the IL from Aug. 19 to Sept. 16. NESN reports he appeared in 85 games in 2025. CBS Sports noted that after a previous activation from the 10-day IL Westburg started five straight games and went 1-for-20 with 10 strikeouts before being given a rest.

The injury has immediate roster implications for Baltimore. Jackson Holliday also will miss time to start the season after suffering a broken hamate bone in his right hand, creating two infield openings. MLB.com’s reporting projects Pete Alonso at first base and Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, with Blaze Alexander and Coby Mayo described as front-runners for second and third base roles. Jeremiah Jackson, 25, could break camp as infield/outfield depth. Camden Chat reported the club acquired Blaze Alexander from Arizona and expected him in the March 26 lineup, calling Alexander a potential regular starter for 2026.

With Westburg’s PRP injection on Feb. 20 and the club announcement on Feb. 21, the Orioles will monitor his response to non-surgical treatment and adjust the Opening Day roster accordingly; the team has offered no timetable beyond the initial month-long absence.