Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg spoke with reporters for the first time since undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.
The Baltimore Orioles have dealt with a ton of injuries during the 2026 season that have contributed to their underwhelming year. However, the biggest by far has been the absence of third baseman Jordan Westburg. Westburg officially underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in May.
Before that, he had attempted a PRP injection to see if he could avoid a season-ending procedure. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Westburg spoke with reporters and addressed the decision ahead of a game against the Los Angeles Angels.
"Jordan Westburg, six weeks out of TJ surgery, said the PRP injection was a low-risk maneuver to see if he could avoid surgery. When it didn't work as hoped, surgery was done in time to keep him in line to return for 2027 season. If it's a normal spring, he thinks he can be ready," reported Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
In Westburg's absence, Blaze Alexander has stepped in primarily at third base and delivered. Alexander was acquired before the season began in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, mostly because at the time it was unclear when Westburg would be available. Coby Mayo has also spent some time at the hot corner as well.
Still, Westburg's presence would mean a lot to this lineup if he were healthy. He was selected in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft by Baltimore and quickly developed into a top prospect before debuting in 2023.
He put together a solid rookie season but really took off in 2024, earning his first career All-Star selection and posting a .264 batting average, .312 on-base percentage, .792 OPS, 18 home runs and 63 RBIs, all still career-bests. He posted similar numbers in 2025 as well.
However, the biggest problem for Westburg has always been health. Even in his breakout 2024 campaign he played just 107 games, missing plenty of time in the second half.
In 2025 he appeared in just 85 games, so the Orioles are no strangers to operating without him. The hope is that Westburg can turn a corner from a health standpoint in 2027, and based on his own assessment, he believes a normal spring training will have him ready to go.
For a Baltimore team that has underperformed this year, getting a healthy Westburg back in the lineup next season would immediately change the outlook of the roster, especially at the top of the lineup.
