That sound you hear? No, that’s not the first gusts of the start of hurricane season here in the Mid-Atlantic; it’s Birdland letting out a collective sigh.
Manny Machado had an MRI on his injured right knee Tuesday, and the results provide us with at least a bit of relief. It looks as if the O’s initial diagnosis of a “sprain” was accurate, as the MRI showed exactly that.
The team announced today that Machado will hit the 15-day disabled list. The team still hasn’t disclosed any additional details – such as WHICH ligament is sprained – but I’d assume he probably won’t be able to be on the field again for at least a month or so. Anything sooner than that would be icing on the cake.
Still, I think the Orioles can weather this next month without him. They have given themselves a comfortable 6.5-game lead over Toronto in the AL East (7.0 over New York) and the upcoming schedule is less than daunting – 22 of their next 26 games after this Yankee series ends are against teams currently under .500, with the other four against the Reds, who are just two games over. As long as the other players on this roster can keep doing what they’ve been doing, I see no reason why the O’s can’t win five or six out of every ten games while Machado is sidelined.
After that, hopefully we can Manny back for the stretch run (23-straight vs. AL East opponents) and, after that, the postseason.
Machado has been on an offensive tear of late, and it’s quite possible that he won’t have that same pop immediately upon returning to the lineup. While unfortunate, the more important thing is to have that glove of his on the field in October.
Rest up, Manny. See you soon – we hope.
