One MLB All-Star is certainly longing for his bed at home.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg shared with reporters on Wednesday that he is dealing with an unusual sleep-related injury. Westburg is experiencing back pain, which he attributes to a soft mattress at his Airbnb.
“I’m used to sleeping on a firm mattress back home, and my Airbnb has a slightly softer one,” Westburg said, according to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner. “I tried to tough it out, which was pretty dumb. But I got a mattress topper, and I feel much better now.”
“I need to sleep on a firmer mattress,” Westburg continued. “Talking to other guys, I think they feel the same way. I’m not sure if it’s an athlete thing, but softer mattresses seem to mess with your posture. From my experience and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that softer mattresses just aren’t good for me. I might sleep better the first couple of nights, but in the long run, they don’t work.”
Westburg, whose Orioles are currently in Sarasota, Fla. for spring training, has been sidelined from the lineup for over a week. However, he mentioned that he has resumed full baseball activities and expects to be back on the field by Thursday or Friday.
The 26-year-old Westburg was a first-time All-Star last season, hitting .264 with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs in 107 games for the Orioles. While he has primarily played second base in his career, he is expected to be Baltimore’s everyday starting third baseman in 2025.
Westburg certainly learned an important lesson about sleep habits. It’s crucial to be mindful of how you sleep, as another MLB All-Star infielder can also confirm.
