The Orioles announced this morning that infielder Jordan Westburg has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. That opens a spot on the 40-man roster for righty Albert Suarez, whose contract has been selected from Triple-A Norfolk — a move first reported to be in the works last night. Right-hander Zach Eflin heads to the 15-day IL, as expected. He and the O’s are awaiting MRI results to determine the source of Eflin’s elbow discomfort.
Westburg himself is dealing with a severe elbow issue. Baltimore’s third baseman experienced elbow discomfort early in spring training and was found to have a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection and is attempting to rehab the injury without surgery. The Orioles had previously indicated that Westburg would miss all of April, but the move to the 60-day IL pushes his earliest possible return date out to May 21. (Westburg’s original IL placement on March 25 was backdated the maximum three days to March 22.)
Today’s move to the 60-day IL doesn’t necessarily represent a setback, nor does it indicate that surgery is any likelier now than it was at the time of Westburg’s original diagnosis back in February. To the contrary, manager Craig Albernaz tells the O’s beat that Westburg is continuing his rehab progression and has been cleared to swing a bat and begin playing catch (via Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun). That’s a fairly encouraging update, though Westburg obviously isn’t out of the woods entirely.
The injury to Westburg has opened the door for former top prospect Coby Mayo to get a legitimate look at his original position. Westburg’s presence in the infield had previously pushed Mayo across the diamond to first base, and that spot was filled over the winter when Baltimore signed Pete Alonso to a five-year deal. Entering camp, it wasn’t clear that Mayo would have a path to regular at-bats — at least not until news of Westburg’s elbow dropped.
Mayo had a big spring showing but has started slowly, going 2-for-13 in four games — all at third base. Utilityman Blaze Alexander has also logged one game at the hot corner. They’ll continue as the primary options at third base. It’s conceivable that Alexander could leapfrog Mayo for playing time there if Mayo struggles once Jackson Holliday returns from the IL and bumps Alexander out of the mix for playing time at second base. For now, the O’s are hoping that Mayo can make good on his productive Triple-A track record and tap into the form he showed this spring (.378/.405/.622 in 42 plate appearances).
The top of the order could really use westy or holiday. Been a bit slow out of the gates for some guys.
We need a real leadoff hitter. Holliday hasn’t been that thus far in his career but he’s the best candidate on the ML team.
Ward has a crisp 8 for 24 on the season. I agreed with you until we just watched him pickup 6 hits in last two games. Hes finding a groove
I know it’s 2026 but Taylor Ward is not my idea of a lead off man. He’s obviously hitting well at the moment. Be great if he could be worthy of the 2 hole.
I still don’t think Holliday is an ideal leadoff guy unless he starts walking more and gets picked off/CS much less than 2025.
Westburg does have some patience, probably best spot is #2. Drop Ward to #5 to help protect Gunnar and Alonso. That is, if Westburg ever returns. Now he has to get through the rehab and ramp up pain free to come back at Memorial Day.
Mayo has looked a lot better manning 3B in the first 6 games than he did in spring training. But team defense looks bad overall, they have to throw to the wrong place at least once or twice a game to allow runners to advance.
Thats what I was hoping to see from Holliday myself this year, better defense and in particular better baserunning. He swiped a decent amount of bags but as you said he had a problem with getting caught or picked off. I hope at the very least the patience at the plate has improved. He’s got the tools to be a great leadoff guy, someone who has the potential to hit 20+ homers steal 20+ bases and I’m probably underselling his talent there. I’m expecting a semi-breakout myself. I think the defense improves, I think he reduces the baserunning errors. The power and batting average improves, but I’m not sure about the on base ability just yet. He’s obviously super young so I wouldn’t be surprised if he blows all of our expectations out of the water.
In my opinion Beavers is probably more the leadoff type, Bradfield Jr. is likely to find his way to the team eventually as well. But for now its a bit of “Hey lets see if this guy is good as a leadoff hitter.”. Its not an inspiring way to do things and I imagine Holliday gets thrown in there immediately when he returns.
We can always hope someone can take the assignment and make something out of it, like the year Machado was asked to lead off. He set career highs to that point in OBP, walks, and steals in response. Not optimally a leadoff guy but he made it appear more that way.
Of the group we’re discussing here I think Bradfield if he is able to hit MLB pitching consistently is best suited. High OBP/patience and many steals consistently as he’s come up.
Do the Orioles practice next to an electrical substation by any chance?
Why would it matter if they did? The 49ers swear it’s not a problem for them
I agree. I’ve never noticed that there were power lines overhead but there’s got to be some reason they are this snakebitten.
It’s the curse of Jeffrey Maier. They need to bring him to a game, offer their forgiveness and allow him to throw out the first pitch. Then, and only then, will the curse be broken.
Seriously though, this really sucks. This team potentially could have a nice offense. But they’re off to a slow start and Westy would be a nice boost.
Why do the Orioles need to forgive? If anything, Maier should forgive. Or they should dip him in a vat of…I mean, blow up the baseball.
He’s in his 40s now. I wonder if he brings up the incident trying to impress someone at work.
Westburg could miss the season – if the rehab doesn’t work surgery is the next option.
Not sure why the post author is so down on Mayo. This is one of those posts by a writer who covers a team, but doesn’t actually watch the games.
Maybe his numbers don’t show it but he’s been playing well and the ABs are quality ABs, patient and looks confident. The swings are good. The results have been hard outs but just not dropping in as much. Also, Mayo’s glove has been surprisingly solid. He’s been picking a lot of critical DPs in big situations.
Henderson is best for leadoff. The old way of leadoff has been found to be ineffective. You bat your best player first so he gets more at bats.