Jordan Westburg Opens Up About Emotional Frustration as Orioles Star Recovers From Elbow Injury
The Baltimore Orioles will begin the 2026 MLB season without one of their key infielders, as Jordan Westburg continues recovering from a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. The injury is expected to sideline the standout third baseman through at least April, dealing an early blow to Baltimore’s lineup.
While the Orioles must now adjust their roster plans, no one feels the impact of the injury more than Westburg himself. The talented infielder recently spoke candidly about the emotional and physical challenges of his recovery, revealing just how difficult it has been to watch from the sidelines.
Jordan Westburg Shares Honest Feelings About Recovery
In an interview conducted on March 13 with Ryan Ripken, Westburg provided a rare and honest glimpse into what the rehabilitation process has been like.
Ripken, who hosts the Ryan Ripken Show and frequently covers the Orioles, asked Westburg about recent videos showing him running during workouts. Westburg explained that running and light fielding are currently the only baseball activities he can perform.
“Yeah, yeah. That’s about all [I can do]. You know, it’s slow. It sucks, right? Like, very disappointed to not be on the field.”
Despite the frustration, Westburg is trying to maintain a positive outlook by focusing on small milestones during his recovery.
“Trying to take every day as a win. I’m starting to take ground balls again, so that’s a win. Starting to run bases, that’s a win.”
Still, the limitations of his injury remain difficult to accept.
“So I’m like a quarter of a ball player right now. No swinging, no throwing, but I can field it and run.”
For a competitive athlete who thrives on being in the lineup every day, that reality has been challenging.
The Injury That Forced Him to Stop Playing Through Pain
Westburg also explained that the elbow problem didn’t suddenly appear this season. Instead, it had been lingering for some time before becoming too serious to ignore.
Like many professional baseball players, he initially tried to push through the discomfort.
“If you don’t play baseball, you don’t understand that if anybody were to get an MRI on their elbow, everybody’s elbow is messed up.”
According to Westburg, minor elbow issues are extremely common in baseball, especially for players who throw regularly from the infield.
For a long time, he believed his situation was no different.
“For a long time, I just wrote this off as like, we’re just ballers. Everybody’s got something wrong. You just kind of play through it.”
However, the pain eventually worsened during the past season, making it impossible to ignore.
“It would come and go, sure. But it wasn’t a normal thing until this past year.”
That realization ultimately led to the diagnosis of the partially torn UCL.
A Difficult Reality for the Orioles Star
For Westburg, the hardest part of the injury has not been the treatment process itself, but the waiting period required for recovery.
After deciding on a treatment plan with the Orioles’ medical staff, he now finds himself stuck in a frustrating holding pattern.
“It was a hard pill to swallow. But I felt confident in the direction we took in the treatment.”
Still, the uncertainty surrounding his return date has created another layer of frustration.
“Now it’s a waiting game. And that’s another layer of frustration.”
Like many injured athletes, Westburg must rely on patience as his body heals—something that is often easier said than done.
Missing Time With the Orioles Hurts the Most
Beyond the physical recovery, Westburg admitted that the emotional side of the injury has been particularly difficult.
“I want to be on the field arguably more than everybody.”
He acknowledged that players often say that while sitting out, but for him, the feeling is very real.
“It hurts. It’s very disappointing to know that I’m gonna miss out some more months and know that I’m gonna have to watch from the couch.”
For someone who has worked relentlessly to establish himself as a key piece of the Orioles’ roster, missing time early in the season is especially painful.
Hoping to Return in Any Role
Despite the disappointment, Westburg remains determined to contribute to the Orioles whenever he is cleared to return.
His primary goal is simply to get back on the field, even if it means taking a reduced role at first.
“If it means I can come back and play every day, great.”
But he also made it clear that he would accept whatever role helps the team most.
“If it means I have to play every other day and take a backseat role, I’m okay with that. I just want to be a part of the club.”
That mindset reflects the kind of team-first mentality the Orioles value within their roster.
Orioles Facing Early Season Challenge
Losing Westburg for the start of the season creates a challenge for the Baltimore Orioles, who were hoping to build momentum early in the 2026 campaign.
Westburg has become an important piece of the Orioles’ lineup thanks to his combination of defensive reliability, offensive production, and energy on the field.
Without him available in April, Baltimore will need other infielders to step up and fill the void until he is healthy enough to return.
A Positive Attitude Moving Forward
Even with the frustration and uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline, Westburg continues to approach rehabilitation with determination.
By focusing on small daily improvements—whether it’s running bases, fielding ground balls, or building strength—he hopes those incremental victories will eventually lead back to the field.
For Orioles fans, his honesty about the emotional side of injury recovery has resonated strongly. Professional athletes are often expected to appear mentally unshakable, but Westburg’s candid comments reveal the reality behind the scenes.
Ultimately, his goal remains simple: get healthy, return to the Orioles, and contribute however he can.
If his recovery continues progressing, Baltimore may still see Jordan Westburg back in action later in the 2026 season—something both the team and its fans will eagerly anticipate.
