CHICAGO — An injury-filled season for Jordan Westburg will get the chance to end with him on the field rather than the trainer’s room.
The Orioles reinstated the 2024 All-Star third baseman from the injured list Tuesday ahead of their game against the Chicago White Sox and designated infielder Emmanuel Rivera for assignment in a corresponding move. Baltimore also activated left-hander José Castillo, acquired off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Monday, and optioned left-hander Grant Wolfram to Triple-A Norfolk.
Westburg, 26, has played just 73 games this year while nursing back, hamstring, ankle, finger and undisclosed upper-body injuries throughout the campaign. He’s hit .276 with 15 home runs and a .799 OPS when healthy, hitting his stride in August before an ankle sprain sent him back to the IL again. Named the Orioles’ Roberto Clemente Award nominee Monday, Westburg played three games on a rehabilitation assignment over the weekend and went 2-for-11 with a pair of homers.
“He’ll probably DH tomorrow and then be at third base against the two lefties that we’re anticipating to face the following days,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said Monday.
His return gives the Orioles five right-handed hitters to work into the lineup at only four spots between Westburg, Jeremiah Jackson, Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo and Tyler O’Neill. Jackson, a bright spot for the club since making his MLB debut the day after the trade deadline, has seen time at both third base and right field but could shift into more of a utility player role for the final 12 games of the season. Fellow right-handed bats Jorge Mateo and Luis Vázquez remain on the bench as well.
Rivera, 29, has hit .272 with four home runs and a .706 OPS in 69 games for Baltimore over the past two seasons, though most of the production came in the second half of 2024. This is the second time the Orioles have designated him for assignment this year after he cleared waivers and reported to Norfolk the last time around.
The 29-year-old Castillo replaces Wolfram in the bullpen after the latter allowed two runs in his last outing Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays to raise his ERA to 4.85 in 20 appearances this season. Castillo has bounced around between four different organizations in 2025, posting a 4.38 ERA in 24 games.
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