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Padres' Manny Machado Exits Monday's Game vs Cubs in Concerning Development

This isn't a great sign.
Noah Camras|
Apr 17, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) looks on after being called out following an ABS challenge during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Apr 17, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) looks on after being called out following an ABS challenge during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images

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San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado was removed from Monday night's game against the Chicago Cubs after grounding out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

It's currently unclear why Machado was pulled, but with the Padres leading by one and plenty of time left in the game, it would likely be due to some sort of injury or discomfort.

Gavin Sheets entered the game at first base, while Ty France moved over to third base to replace Machado.

Machao was in the midst of a great game offensively, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. His bat has been heating up as of late, as he hit two home runs in the Padres' loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Machado hit his 400th career double on Monday night in the bottom of the fifth inning.

He also made this slick defensive play in the top half of the inning.

Including Machado's three-hit night on Monday, the third baseman is hitting .232 this season with an OPS of .742. He now has hits in five straight games, including multiple hits in three of them.

He said Sunday that he hoped his success in Mexico City was a sign of things to come.

“I hope so, for sure,” Machado said. “I’ve been working on it. Still hitting it hard right at people, not getting the results. But it felt pretty good to get two over the fence.”

Padres Can't Afford a Manny Machado Injury

The Padres don't currently have a clear backup at third base for Machado.

France can technically play the position, as he is in relief of Machado on Monday, but he's much better at first base, where he won a Gold Glove last year.

No other players on the active roster are natural backups to Machado at third base. If Machado was forced to miss time, infielder Sung-Mun Song would likely get an opportunity.

Song joined the Padres on a four-year, $15 million deal this offseason. An oblique injury forced him to open the season on the injured list, and France's emergence has blocked him from getting an opportunity on the big league roster.

Song did get called up as the 27th man for the Mexico City Series, and made his MLB debut on Sunday as a pinch-runner. He was optioned back to Triple-A on Monday.

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Noah Camras
NOAH CAMRAS

Noah Camras graduated from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in sports media studies. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and has extensively covered Southern California sports in his career. Noah is the publisher of Padres on SI after contributing as a writer and editor over the last three years.

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