Jordan Westburg Injury Update: All-Star infielder expected to miss regular season with fractured arm after getting hit by 95mph pitch
The Baltimore Orioles' 10-4 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday came at a cost. While winning their series against the Blue Jays, the Orioles saw their infielder Jordan Westburg get hit by a pitch in his right hand during the fifth inning.
Despite the hit from Yerry Rodríguez’s 95.2 mph fastball, Westburg remained in the game and went to first base. Shortly after, he helped score a run on Jackson Holliday’s first homer of the season.
Jordan Westburg was replaced by Ramon Urias before the sixth inning and was sent for diagnosis. The test results revealed that Westburg suffered a right-hand fracture, according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde.
Sharing Hyde’s revelation on X/Twitter, The Baltimore Sun’s reporter Matt Weyrich wrote:
“Jordan Westburg suffered a right hand fracture on a hit by pitch in the fifth inning today, Brandon Hyde says. He hopes Westburg will return ‘by the end of the regular season.’”
The Orioles manager isn’t expecting Jordan Westburg’s return to the plate anytime soon. Westburg was having a great second year in the majors, batting .269 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs.
He had a .500 slugging percentage and .817 OPS, with 25 doubles and 54 runs scored, along with a 2.4 WAR in 100 games this season.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde opens up about Jordan Westburg’s injury
After making his major league debut last year, Jordan Westburg made his first All-Star Game appearance this 2024 season. Discussing about Westburg, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said (via The Baltimore Sun):
“He’s a huge part of our lineup, our culture, really everything. He’s right in the middle of everything.”
“Itʼs unfortunate. Weʼre not the only team thatʼs getting hit. People are getting hit around the league. Lack of command is pretty apparent with pitchers right now.”
With Jordan Westburg out, the Orioles might call up top prospect Coby Mayo to the majors. On the other hand, they could keep Ramon Urias at third base and move Jackson Holliday to second.
The Baltimore Orioles (65-44), leading the AL East, will start their series with the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Progressive Field.