Orioles Dealt Double Blow with Key Injuries
Just as momentum was building for the Baltimore Orioles, the club was hit with a setback, losing both a starting infielder and a rotation arm to the injured list.
On Friday, the Orioles announced that third baseman Jordan Westburg (right ankle) and right-handed starter Brandon Young (left hamstring) have both been placed on the IL, forcing manager Tony Mansolino to reshuffle his roster late in the season.
Rotation Shake-Up
Young suffered his hamstring injury on Thursday while covering first base against Houston, exiting in the sixth inning. While he will be eligible to return on September 6, Mansolino admitted the rookie is unlikely to pitch for an extended stretch.
It’s been an uneven first season for the 27-year-old, who sits at 1–7 with a 6.24 ERA across 12 starts. Still, flashes of his potential have surfaced—most notably his eight-inning, one-hit gem against the Astros on August 15. With Kyle Bradish expected back in the rotation soon, Young’s role upon returning remains unclear.
Infield Hit
For Westburg, the injury is another frustrating pause in what had been a strong sophomore campaign. The 26-year-old exited Monday’s game against Cincinnati with ankle discomfort, and despite initial optimism he could avoid the IL, the lingering issue forced Baltimore’s hand.
In 73 games this season, Westburg has been a steady contributor, slashing .276/.326/.473 with 15 home runs and 34 RBI. This marks his second IL stint of 2025, after a hamstring injury sidelined him in April.
Next Man Up
To fill the roster void, the Orioles selected the contracts of right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman and infielder Vimael Machin, adding immediate depth to both the pitching staff and infield.
For a team with postseason aspirations, the timing of these injuries is less than ideal. But as Baltimore has shown throughout the season, resilience runs deep—and how the Orioles navigate the coming weeks may define their stretch run.
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