The Baltimore Orioles are facing the possibility of being without third baseman Jordan Westburg for the remainder of the season.
Westburg had to leave Wednesday’s 10-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays early after being hit on the hand by a pitch. Blue Jays pitcher Yerry Rodríguez threw a 95-mph fastball that struck Westburg directly on his right hand in the fifth inning at Camden Yards, causing him to spin around in pain.
Although Westburg continued to run the bases, he was ultimately replaced defensively and did not return to the game.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed post-game that Westburg had suffered a broken hand. While Hyde is hopeful that Westburg can make a return before the end of the regular season, he did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery.
“They just X-rayed it,” Hyde stated, via ESPN. “How it heals and those type of things is way beyond my expertise.”
“He’s a huge part of our lineup, our culture, really everything. He’s right in the middle of everything.”
The Orioles have 53 games remaining in the regular season, giving Westburg approximately six to eight weeks to recover if he aims to return for the final few series before the playoffs begin.
Westburg, who made his MLB debut last season with the Orioles, earned his first All-Star selection earlier this summer. The 25-year-old has a batting average of .269 with 58 RBI and 18 home runs in 100 games this season.
Despite the setback of losing Westburg, the Orioles managed to secure a six-run victory, largely thanks to a grand slam by Jackson Holliday — which came right after Westburg’s injury in the fifth inning.
The victory propelled the Orioles to a 65-44 record for the season, putting them in a half-game lead over the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. Baltimore, riding a wave of four wins in their last five games, will kick off a four-game road series against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday.