Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg will miss at least the first month of the 2026 season after being diagnosed with a partial ligament tear in his right elbow. General manager Mike Elias revealed Friday that the 27-year-old is receiving a platelet injection to treat the ulnar collateral ligament injury, with a return timeline to be determined after April.

Westburg's elbow injury compounds a challenging offseason that already kept him from spring training due to a right oblique strain. The infielder hit .265 with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs in 85 games last season, though injuries limited his availability. His injury history includes a broken right hand from a pitch in 2024 that sidelined him for nearly two months, plus previous hamstring and ankle issues.

Westburg's absence creates another significant hole in Baltimore's infield, joining second baseman Jackson Holliday on the injured list. Holliday is recovering from a broken hamate bone in his right hand and is expected back by mid-April. The Orioles will need to adjust their Opening Day plans without two key starters, potentially reshuffling their lineup as they aim to build on recent postseason appearances.