"Jordan Westburg has been diagnosed with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced to reporters this morning ( via Jake Rill of MLB.com). For now, Westburg will not undergo surgery. He'll receive a platelet-rich plasma injection today in hopes of avoiding an internal brace or Tommy John procedure, either of which would sideline him for the majority or entirety of the year. Westburg will miss at least the month of April."
"Given the timing of the injury, it makes sense that Westburg would opt for an injection, rest and rehab rather than immediately going under the knife. The recovery timetable for position players coming back from UCL surgery is shorter than for pitchers but still tends to clock in around six months. Undergoing surgery right now would likely mean missing the vast majority or the entirety of the 2026 campaign anyhow while leaving him ready for spring training next year."
"Elias detailed ( via Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner) that Westburg felt elbow discomfort while throwing during his rehab from the oblique injury that he was already known to have. Imaging revealed a partial tear in his elbow, which doctors now believe to have been there for some time. There's no telling right now whether the PRP will prove sufficient, but Elias suggested that Westburg could return as a designated hitter first if the injection looks to be taking hold."
Jordan Westburg suffered a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He will not undergo surgery immediately and will receive a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection today aimed at avoiding an internal brace or Tommy John surgery. He will miss at least the month of April, with further timeline dependent on the PRP response. PRP, rest and rehab were chosen because the surgery would likely cost most or all of the 2026 season for a position player, while successful injection could allow significant 2026 availability. Imaging suggests the tear may have predated recent oblique rehab and a return as a designated hitter is possible if recovery progresses.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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