Manny Machado Doesn't Know When He'll Return to Third Base for Padres

Eva Geitheim | Mar 29, 2024

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado remains unsure of when he'll be able to play third base again for the Padres this season. Machado underwent surgery last fall to repair a torn extensor tendon, which has kept him from starting the season at third base.

Machado provided an update on his status after Thursday's 6-4 game, and shared what needs to happen for him to get back on the field.

“I have no idea yet. It’s just day by day, seeing how I feel and just kind of progress," Machado said, via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It’s about being healthy and being ready to go. And once I step on that field and I’m able to do that, it’s just to do it every single day and not have any setbacks.”

The positive is Machado has returned to his throwing program. Machado initially was doing great with his throwing at the start of Spring Training, but the team decided to shut him down when his elbow became fatigued.

“Being able to take a couple of weeks off and kind of just ramp it back down helped out a little bit,” Machado said. “We’ll see how I feel now when I start ramping back up and get going again. Hopefully, I get back to how I showed up in spring.”

In the meantime, Tyler Wade has filled in at third base for Machado as the Padres began their regular season with Machado as the team's designated hitter.

In the Padres' home opener on Thursday, Machado recorded one walk and one run in the Padres' 6-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. So far on the season, Machado has one home run, three RBIs, and three runs through three games.