The Baltimore Orioles have been navigating a season defined by adversity, and the latest blow came straight from the front office. On Friday, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias confirmed the worst for infielder Jordan Westburg, announcing that the 27-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery—a procedure that will officially end his 2025 campaign and keep him sidelined through next season.

Westburg, who earned an All-Star nod in 2024 thanks to a .264 average, .792 OPS, 18 home runs, and 63 RBIs, was expected to be a cornerstone of Baltimore's lineup. However, a partially torn UCL in his right elbow limited him to just 85 games this year, and the team's initial non-surgical approach—a platelet-rich plasma injection in February—ultimately gave way to the inevitable. By May, persistent discomfort forced Westburg to stop throwing, and surgery became the only path forward.

For Orioles fans, this news carries a familiar sting. The team's position group has rarely been at full strength, and Westburg's absence has pressed Blaze Alexander and Cody Mayo into extended duty at the hot corner. But Elias offered a silver lining, noting that Westburg's decision to try the PRP route first did not delay his projected return. The expectation remains that he will be back as a full-time infielder in time for the 2027 season.

While UCL procedures typically require a year or more for pitchers, position players often enjoy a faster recovery timeline. Westburg is already on the 60-day injured list and will remain there for the rest of the season. Still, for a team eyeing contention, every loss stings—and this one hits especially hard. As the Orioles push forward, they'll have to find ways to fill the gap left by one of their brightest young stars.