Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced Friday, and will a receive a platelet-rich plasma injection rather than undergoing surgery.

Westburg will be out until the end of April at least.

During his rehab for an oblique injury, Westburg started feeling discomfort in his elbow, which he reported to the training staff. Imaging revealed a partial tear of the UCL that appears to have been there for some time, Elias said.

“We will attempt to rehab the injury with PRP and strengthening and time,” Elias said. “It’s too soon to get more specific with how much time he’s going to miss, but he’s going to start the season on the IL.”

The Orioles attempted the PRP route with Kyle Bradish in 2024, when the right-hander was diagnosed with a UCL sprain at the start of camp. He still required Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery later in the season. Elias said there’s a balance which led to a “conservative” approach, which was the opinion given by Orioles team physicians and Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

“If the surgery might not be necessary, and there’s a possibility it’s never necessary, I think you do what you can to avoid it, particularly with a position player,” Elias said.

The Banner reported Thursday that Westburg had undergone imaging on his elbow and was awaiting additional opinions. At the time, Orioles officials declined to comment and manager Craig Albernaz said that Westburg was physically unable to practice but didn’t disclose what, exactly, was the reasoning.

Westburg entered camp with the oblique injury that slowed his timeline to appear in games. He’s the second infielder guaranteed to miss opening day, with second baseman Jackson Holliday also sidelined after he underwent surgery to remove a broken hamate bone.

Coby Mayo could see increased playing time at third base in Westburg’s absence, and Blaze Alexander, Luis Vázquez and Jeremiah Jackson are also options there.

Elias and Albernaz expressed confidence in the players on the roster.

“When something happens like this, there are opportunities for other guys,” Albernaz said. He pointed to Weston Wilson and Willy Vasquez, two non-roster invitees, as options as well. “We want to give everyone who came to camp an opportunity.”

But Elias didn’t close the door on additions from outside the organization.

When healthy, Westburg has been one of Baltimore’s most consistent hitters, and generally speaking, Westburg could be ready to hit more quickly than he will be able to play defensively. That could make him an option as a designated hitter a few months into the season, if his recovery timeline goes swimmingly.

In 2024, Westburg hit .264 with 18 home runs and a .792 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 107 games. He was sidelined for much of the second half by an errant pitch that broke his hand but returned in time for the postseason.

Last year, Westburg was limited to 85 games by a hamstring strain and ankle sprain. He hit .265 with a .770 OPS.

Elias said the imaging for Westburg’s elbow showed it “appeared chronic, so it’s something he had for a long time, although it’s not something that had risen to the level of team care. But it’s apparently pretty flared up right now.”

“Feel terrible for Westy,” Albernaz said. “We’ll support him and we’ll make sure he has everything he needs to get back on the field.”

Elias also announced that right-hander Keegan Gillies suffered a “severe” quad strain and will be out for at least six weeks. Gillies was a non-roster invite to camp. He reached Triple-A Norfolk last season as a reliever.