Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg recently spoke candidly about the partial UCL tear in his right elbow that will sideline him for at least the first month of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old expressed deep frustration but also determination to return stronger.
"You can imagine how frustrating and disappointing it is," Westburg said, per 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."
“This wears on you mentally,” Westburg added, while emphasizing that he felt he had prepared properly. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection on February 20 and will rest in hopes of avoiding surgery.
Westburg's injury troubles since mid-2024 include a fractured right hand in 2024, back soreness, a hamstring strain, finger sprains, an ankle sprain and a recent oblique tweak in early 2026.
Westburg missed significant time in 2025, playing just 85 games after 107 the prior year. He remains optimistic about non-surgical recovery, citing examples like Shohei Ohtani and Bryce Harper who returned successfully after similar PRP treatments.
In the 2025 season, Westburg appeared in 85 games for the Orioles. Despite the injury setbacks, Westburg slashed near his career marks and provided valuable pop from the infield when on the field. The Mississippi State product, drafted 30th overall in 2020, showed the same competitive fire that made him a reliable everyday player earlier in his career, though the string of ailments tested his patience and forced adjustments in his preparation routine.
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