Manny Machado close to rehab assignment

Sep 11, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Machado throws over to first base to get out New York Yankees left fielder

(not pictured) in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Yankees defeated the Orioles 5-4. (Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

It appears that Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado isn’t far away from playing games while serving a minor league rehab assignment. That assignment could start as soon as next week, according to a report from Eduardo A. Encina from The Baltimore Sun. This would certainly be a welcome sight for an Orioles team that currently stands with a 7-7 record in the AL East.

Machado has been on the mend after offseason surgery was required to repair a torn patellofemoral ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred as the Orioles were visiting the Tampa Bay Rays toward the end of last season. While attempting to run out a ground ball, Machado had a misstep going for the corning for first base. If you feel up to it, you can re-visit it over on Larry Brown Sports.

This past spring, Machado’s rehab progress had been slowed due to due a calf issue. This did push back his return to the club, but certainly the Orioles medical staff (who has caught it’s fair share of criticism) should be applauded for not rushing this situation.

For those unfamiliar how a minor league rehab assignment works, position players are permitted a period of time up to 20 days. Should Machado serve all 20 days of that assignment, he could rejoin the Orioles sometime in mid-May. An extremely tentative (and conservative) return date could be about a month from today.

(Call to Eye on Baseball)