When Is Manny Machado Coming Back for the San Diego Padres?
By Joe Summers
The 42-27 San Diego Padres received a scare on Sunday, June 19, when MVP-candidate Manny Machado stepped on first base wrong and collapsing to the ground while writhing in pain.
Machado is +280 to win NL MVP over at WynnBET Sportsbook and is enjoying a career season, batting .328 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. He's been the driving force behind one of MLB's best teams and the Padres need their star third baseman healthy to fulfill the promise of their young season.
So when can San Diego expect Machado to return? Did they avoid catastrophe?
Manny Machado Injury Update
No update on the status of Manny Machado just yet, other than he’s out of the starting lineup. Machado is in good spirits but banged up. “A lot of optimism” Machado could avoid an IL stint, acting manager Ryan Flaherty said, while acknowledging things could change. So stay tuned.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) June 20, 2022
The Padres haven't announced whether Machado would go on the Injured List but it appears they did indeed avoid the worst outcome.
“All in all, as good it could be (compared to) what it looked like.”
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) June 20, 2022
Manny Machado sprains ankle, Padres swept by Rockies https://t.co/po5nNU8nFe
Already without Fernando Tatis Jr. as he recovers from injury, losing Machado for an extended period of time could have spelled disaster. It looks like they'll have to navigate a few weeks without him regardless, and I'd guess he comes back right after the All-Star break.
That's just a guess though, as San Diego has kept their plans quiet other than to announce that X-Rays on Machado's ankle were negative. With upcoming series against the Phillies, Dodgers, Mariners, and Giants, they'll need to stay afloat without their most powerful bat in the lineup against a tough string of foes.
If you like the Padres long-term or think Machado's injury won't keep out him out long, WynnBET Sportsbook has San Diego listed at +750 to win the NL Pennant and +1500 to win the World Series. Stay locked into BetSided either way, as we'll keep you updated with the latest on Machado's injury and what that means for Padres bettors moving forward.
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.