Westburg's Road Back From Surgery Remains Uncertain for Orioles

Jordan Westburg's 2026 season never really started. An oblique strain suffered during the offseason sidelined him early, but that proved to be just the beginning of a brutal injury odyssey. Surgery in May—Tommy John on his elbow—pushed any realistic return even further into the future, leaving the Orioles without a key piece of their infield depth for an entire year.

The waiting game begins again. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias has offered only vague guidance on when Westburg might be available for 2027, a cautious approach that reflects the unpredictability of Tommy John recovery timelines. Position players coming back from elbow surgery often face a longer road than pitchers, and shoulder mobility can take months to fully restore.

What Baltimore loses while waiting. Westburg was supposed to provide versatility around the infield, capable of playing multiple positions and contributing both offensively and defensively. Missing an entire year compresses his window to prove he's back to form and rediscover his timing at the plate after months away from game action.

The roster implications. The Orioles will need to plan their 2027 infield without betting heavily on Westburg's availability. Any reinforcements they make at his position shouldn't be viewed as temporary—instead, assume they'll function as the primary solution unless Westburg surprises everyone with an unexpectedly smooth return.

For projection purposes. Fantasy baseball and depth chart analysts should list Westburg as questionable well into spring training. His eventual return date, whenever it comes, could alter Baltimore's offensive profile if he enters games before he's fully conditioned, so monitoring his minor league rehab assignment closely will matter when the time comes.

Source: original report ↗