The Orioles' infield plans for the 2026 season have taken a significant hit, as third baseman Jordan Westburg is reportedly set to undergo season-ending elbow surgery. According to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, Westburg has opted to repair the partially-torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, officially ending any hopes of a return this year. While the team has yet to confirm the news, the decision has been widely anticipated since the initial reports of his elbow troubles emerged back in March.

Westburg's injury saga began with oblique soreness during spring training, but as he worked through that rehab, persistent elbow pain surfaced as the more serious issue. Initially, both Westburg and the Orioles chose a conservative approach—a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with rest and rehabilitation—rather than immediate surgery. Unfortunately, this route rarely yields long-term success for MLB players, and as his throwing program intensified, the pain returned. It's easy to second-guess from the sidelines, but the caution in delaying such a major procedure is understandable. Still, the outcome is no surprise.

The bigger question now is how this two-month delay in surgery will impact Westburg's readiness for the 2027 season. If his recovery goes smoothly, he could be close to full strength by Opening Day. On the less optimistic side, he might not be able to take the field defensively until around Memorial Day. For a player who was a key part of Baltimore's infield plans, that uncertainty looms large.

From a roster-building perspective, the Orioles cannot count on Westburg being in the Opening Day lineup. Had the surgery happened in March, the timeline would have been cleaner. Instead, fans and the front office alike will be waiting for answers until spring training next year, when the GM delivers the standard first-day injury update. Until then, Baltimore's infield puzzle remains incomplete.