Machado withdraws from game after ankle injury in first place (0:22)
Manny Machado’s ankle was badly bruised as he tried to hit one inside ball and needed help to get off the field. (0:22)
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Padres All-Star slunger Manny Machado was not in line for the day after recovering from an ankle injury, and acting manager Ryan Flaherty was hopeful his former team-mate did not need to join the injury list.
“He has a bit of red and blue there, but overall he’s doing well and he feels good,” Flaherty, who is with Machado’s team in Baltimore, said Monday.
“I’m not in the front row tonight, except, I think there is good hope.”
Machado, who holds the MVP season caliber, sprained his left ankle on Sunday for the first time in Colorado in an attempt to win on the ground. He stretched his left leg towards the base when the throw came from Antonio Senzatela’s engine, and his fence fell over the top of the bag.
Machado fell to the ground and his left leg was bent down. The third cyclist felt pain, sadness and his hands clasped to his lower left leg.
He was unable to weigh the injured ankle and left the field with the help of two team coaches.
“Manny is an immediate healer,” said Flaherty, who completes Bob Melvin’s COVID-19 protocol. “He takes care of his body and is able to recover quickly.”
The Padres opened three consecutive home games against Arizona on Monday night after being thrashed in Colorado.
Machado is hitting .328 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs. He was heavily charged with Padres’ offense in the absence of short-term All-Star Fernando Tatis Jr., who is still missing while repairing his left arm undergoing surgery. Machado also played a great defense in the third base.