TODAY: Manny Machado informed reporters on Monday (together with Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune) that elbow surgical procedure is now the seemingly plan of action. Whereas he didn’t say precisely when he plans to have the process, he did recommend it might be earlier than the tip of the season. It’s extremely doable the six-time All-Star is ready till the Padres are mathematically eradicated from postseason competition to make a ultimate resolution. No matter when (or if) he finally undergoes surgical procedure, the third baseman hopes he’ll be again on the sector for spring coaching subsequent 12 months.
SEPTEMBER 9: The Padres stay on the outer fringes of the NL wild card race, as San Diego is seven video games behind the Diamondbacks for the ultimate wild card berth, and the Marlins, Reds, and Giants are all sandwiched between Arizona and San Diego within the standings. Barring a miraculous September surge, it seems prefer it’s only a matter of time earlier than the Padres are eradicated from the playoff race, which may additionally deliver an early finish to Manny Machado’s season.
Based on Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, it’s doable Machado is likely to be shut down on account of recurring elbow issues, particularly the kind of irritation greatest often known as “tennis elbow.” That is the second straight season that Machado has handled the damage, and he may go for an offseason surgical procedure that shouldn’t impression his readiness for the beginning of Spring Coaching.
Whereas tennis elbow doesn’t normally require surgical procedure, it is likely to be essential to lastly clear up an damage that has been bothering the third baseman for the higher a part of two years. “The results not too long ago are extra frequent and extreme,” Acee writes, noting that Machado has been restricted to DH-only obligation over his final seven video games. Even in a hitting-only position, Acee hears that “there are particular swings that trigger [Machado] a substantial amount of ache.”
The damage hasn’t resulted in any time on the injured record for Machado, although he did miss a few weeks earlier within the season on account of a minor hand fracture. Nevertheless, the lingering elbow downside may clarify Machado’s comparatively disappointing season, as he has hit .253/.317/.453 with 26 homers over 545 plate appearances. Whereas nonetheless a 112 wRC+, it’s nicely beneath Machado’s requirements, notably compared to the 153 wRC+ he posted in 2022 whereas ending second in NL MVP voting.
Machado’s efficiency has been one in every of many elements in a really disappointing season for the Padres, who’re 67-75 regardless of one of many recreation’s highest payrolls and a +73 run differential. With a playoff berth trying like a longshot at greatest, there wouldn’t be a lot of a price for the Padres in shutting down Machado and getting his rehab (whether or not involving a surgical procedure or not) underway as shortly as doable to get a leap begin on 2024.
