Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates and is starting at second base and batting fifth, according to The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich. This will be Westburg's first game in spring training since dealing with lower-back soreness last Wednesday. It was a minor issue and shouldn't put the 26-year-old in jeopardy of missing Opening Day later this month, barring another setback with his bat. Although he's at the keystone on Thursday, Westburg is expected to be Baltimore's starting third baseman in 2025 after he hit .264/.312/.481 with 18 homers, 63 RBI and six stolen bases in just 107 games to earn the first All-Star selection of his career. A broken hand late in the second half put a damper on Westburg's season as a whole, but he should be considered a top-10 fantasy third baseman heading into his second full season.
Jordan Westburg Expected To Return Thursday Or Friday
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) said his back spasms are better and that he should return to Grapefruit League action on Thursday or Friday. Back spasms caused Westburg to be pulled from the team's spring training opener, and he's been held out ever since. The 26-year-old hasn't had any setbacks while ramping up his baseball activities, though, and as long as he doesn't have any setbacks when he returns to game action, he should be just fine for Opening Day in late March. When fully healthy, Westburg is locked in as Baltimore's starting third baseman. He also has eligibility at second base, giving him extra fantasy appeal as a top-10 fantasy third baseman in most leagues. Despite fracturing his hand late last season, Westburg still finished with 18 home runs, 63 RBI, six stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 107 games played.
Jordan Westburg Expected To Return To Spring Action On Wednesday Or Thursday
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is doing full baseball activities in camp on Monday, and manager Brandon Hyde expects Westburg to return to a Grapefruit League game on either Wednesday or Thursday. Westburg experienced lower-back soreness after the team's first game in spring training, causing the Orioles to shut him down as a precaution. The 26-year-old apparently has responded well to resuming baseball activities and is now ready to return to game action this week. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his back, he should be ready in plenty of time for Opening Day in late March. A healthy Westburg is expected to be Baltimore's primary third baseman in 2025 after he was a first-time All-Star in 2024 in just his second year in the majors. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 63 in just 107 games and is ranked as a top-10 fantasy third baseman at RotoBaller.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) has been out of action, but he resumed swinging the bat on Sunday. That is a step in the right direction for Westburg who also threw with more intensity over the weekend. The O's are going to take it slow with Westburg early in camp, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about him being ready for Opening Day. Westburg should be back to playing spring games in the next few days, barring any setbacks.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) was able to do some light throwing before Friday's spring training contest. Westburg has missed nearly a week of action due to lower back soreness. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried as the Orioles are going to take the cautious approach this early in spring training. O's manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg was feeling better, which bodes well for him returning to the field at some point next week.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is dealing with a sore lower back in camp and will be out of the Grapefruit League lineup for a few days as a result, according to the Baltimore Banner's Danielle Allentuck. Westburg is getting treatment. Manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg hasn't played since last Saturday due to his lower-back soreness. As long as the 26-year-old gets back to baseball activities soon and doesn't have any setbacks, he should be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. If healthy, Westburg will be a regular in Baltimore's lineup again in 2025 after hitting 18 home runs with six stolen bases and a .792 OPS in 107 regular-season games a year ago. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 9 fantasy third baseman entering 2025. Westburg should also be eligible at second base in most fantasy leagues, giving him a little extra appeal.
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that infielder Jordan Westburg will get some repetitions at second base this spring, but he'll mostly play third base at spring training. Westburg should start out at the hot corner in 2025, with prospect Jackson Holliday opening the year as the club's primary second baseman. The 26-year-old missed time late last year due to a broken hand but impressed otherwise and earned his first career All-Star selection by hitting .264/.312/.481 with a .792 OPS, 18 home runs, 63 RBI, six stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 107 games played in his second year in the big leagues. Westburg excelled at home and against right-handers despite poor bat speed, chase rates and walk rates. Those underlying metrics could come back to cost him, but he's not a bad target in fantasy drafts as infield depth with eligibility at both second and third base.
Jordan Westburg Activated From Injured List, Batting Second On Sunday
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (hand) was activated off the injured list on Sunday morning and will bat in the two-hole as the Orioles look to clinch a series victory over the Detroit Tigers. The 25-year-old infielder has been sidelined since July and should return to his usual starting spot at either second base or third base during the final week of the regular season and the postseason. Before the injury, Westburg was enjoying a nice sophomore breakout as he posted a .269/.317/.497 line with 18 home runs and six stolen bases. Under the hood he held a stellar .286 xBA and a .509 xSLG which are among the highest marks in the sport. Fantasy managers should lock the young infielder into their lineups for the remainder of the season and is worth considering in DFS this afternoon as the Tigers will be using Ty Madden as the primary option in a bullpen game.
Jordan Westburg, Ramon Urias Need Multiple Rehab Games
Baltimore Orioles infielders Jordan Westburg (hand) and Ramon Urias (ankle) will both need multiple minor-league rehab games before returning to the big-league roster, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The skipper said he wouldn't be surprised if Urias comes off the injured list first. Westburg was expected to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday as he works his way back from a fractured right hand that has kept him out since early August. The 25-year-old took batting practice on Tuesday and could rejoin the club early next week. Westburg is sitting on 18 homers on the year and should be Baltimore's preferred option at the hot corner when he's back, although they could ease him in and have him share playing time with Urias to close out the regular season in September. Urias has been out since late August with a right-ankle sprain.
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that infielder Jordan Westburg (hand) took batting practice on the field on Tuesday and is "getting really close to returning by the end of the regular season." Infielder Ramon Urias (ankle) is on a similar timeline. Westburg is recovering from a fractured right hand, but the team isn't ruling him out to play in a minor-league rehab game before Triple-A Norfolk's season ends on Sunday. Barring a setback, the 25-year-old should be back with the O's for the final week of the regular season and for the start of the playoffs in October. It's great news for a Baltimore club that has been going with a combination of struggling rookie Coby Mayo and Emmanuel Rivera at the hot corner of late with both Westburg and Urias sidelined. Westburg had 18 homers in 101 games before his injury and should be the club's primary third baseman once he's activated.
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