Bad news for the Orioles: Jordan Westburg’s season is officially over. Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg will undergo elbow surgery and miss the rest of the season, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner.
The 24-year-old infielder was already on the 60-day injured list, but now that surgery has been scheduled, he’s expected to miss a significant chunk of the remainder of the season. Westburg’s elbow issues have been a problem for him all year, and despite efforts to manage the pain, it’s clear that surgery is the best course of action.
Season-Ending Surgery
Westburg, the Orioles’ second-round pick in the 2020 MLB draft, has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but his elbow issues have limited his playing time. He’s played in just 31 games, hitting .242 with 5 home runs and 15 RBIs. The Orioles likely had high hopes for Westburg’s development this season, but now he’ll spend the remainder of the year recovering from surgery.
The Orioles will need to find another solution to fill Westburg’s void at the infield position. The team has several options, including prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo. Henderson, the Orioles’ top prospect, has already seen significant playing time this season, and it’s possible that he could see more action in the coming weeks.
Filling the Void
Without Westburg, the Orioles will need to shuffle their infield lineup and find a way to replace his production. Henderson is likely the top candidate to fill the void, but the team also has other options. One possibility is to call up Adley Rutschman, the Orioles’ highly touted catcher, to get a look at him in the infield. Rutschman has played some infield in the past, and the team might see if he can provide a boost to the lineup.
The Orioles have a lot of young talent in the pipeline, but it’s clear that Westburg’s injury will be a setback. As the team looks to the future, they’ll need to find a way to develop their players without losing them to injury.
Orioles’ Injury Woes
The Orioles have been plagued by injuries all season, and Westburg’s surgery is just the latest setback. The team has also lost players like Ryan Mountcastle and James McCann to injury, and it’s clear that their bench is thinning out. The Orioles will need to rely on their younger players, including Henderson and Mayo, to help fill the void and contribute to the team’s playoff push.
