Jordan Westburg DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

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.

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.