Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg missed all of 2026 with multiple injuries. First, it was an oblique strain over the winter. Then, it was an elbow issue that resulted in Tommy John surgery. Westburg went under the knife in May. President of baseball operations Mike Elias gave a vague timeline for Westburg’s availability for the 2027 campaign.
Baltimore shared some positive news about Westburg this week. He recently began a hitting progression, per Roch Kubatko of MASN. The infielder still has a long way to go in his recovery, but picking up a bat is a step in the right direction.
Westburg emerged as an everyday player in 2024. He posted a 125 wRC+ while bouncing between second and third base. After hitting just three home runs in 68 games as a rookie, he left the yard 18 times in 107 games. Westburg was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time.
Last season, Westburg was an above-average hitter once again. He slashed .265/.313/.457 with 17 home runs in just 85 games. Injuries limited him to a half-season of work, but the results were there. Westburg has been a viable big-league bat when healthy. The health part is the most challenging aspect of the equation, but if he’s ready to go in the spring, Baltimore will have to find a spot for him.
Third base
Westburg has spent his time somewhat evenly between second and third base, with an edge to the latter. His glove hasn’t played particularly well at either spot. Westburg has recorded -7 Defensive Runs Saved in 148 appearances at the hot corner. He’s at -3 DRS in 120 games at the keystone.
The competition at third base includes Coby Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Blaze Alexander. Mayo and CES had solid seasons at the plate, but both hit lefties far better than righties. Mayo was basically unusable against same-handed pitching (.567 OPS). Encarnacion-Strand was solid vs. righties (.743 OPS), so he seems like a cleaner fit for an everyday gig. He was also a neutral defender at the position, which is saying a lot for this group. Mayo posted -9 DRS at third base.
[Related: Orioles Aiming To Improve Defensively In 2027]
Alexander had a strong debut season with the Orioles after coming over via trade. He’s the best defender in the mix. His skill set is more valuable in a flexible role, though. He spent time at every infield position except first base and all three outfield spots.
Second base
Given that he’s coming back from elbow surgery, putting Westburg at second base might be a more practical route. It would allow him to ease in on the defensive side. The incumbent would seem to be Jackson Holliday, though he hasn’t necessarily earned the gig. Holliday won’t turn 23 years old until December, but he’s already played in 307 big-league games. He’s compiled an 86 wRC+ with 29 homers and 29 steals in 1,211 plate appearances. Holliday’s 2027 campaign could be affected by offseason wrist surgery.
After being one of the worst defenders in the league in 2025, Holliday improved slightly last year. He recorded -3 DRS over 706 2/3 innings at the position. Still not good, but better than his -10 DRS from the previous season. Baltimore also gave him some opportunities at third base for the first time in the majors.
Jeremiah Jackson spent ample time at second base while Holliday recovered from a fractured hamate bone. He got off to a solid start in his first extended look in the big leagues before fading into a backup role. Jackson finished the year with a .611 OPS in 102 games. Like Alexander, he’s probably better suited for a flexible role. That could be as a depth option in the minors to begin the year.
Trade?
The Orioles’ roster is in a weird spot. They simultaneously have too many guys and multiple holes to fill. The club moved on from Adley Rutschman at the trade deadline, opening up full-time catcher reps for Samuel Basallo. The move will clear room at DH, which could be a spot for Westburg, though there are other options there (Mayo, Encarnacion-Strand, Tyler O’Neill, Heston Kjerstad, etc.).
Like when they dealt Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby for Trevor Rogers, a hitting-for-pitching move might be in the cards. Baltimore will have two rotation spots to fill with Rogers and Chris Bassitt heading to free agency. Holliday and Colton Cowser came up in talks ahead of the deadline. Westburg could become a part of those discussions. It would be a sell-low move after a lost season, of course. Trading from the rest of the infield glut seems more likely.
Photo courtesy of John Jones, Imagn Images
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