SAN DIEGO -- Padres star third baseman Manny Machado exited Saturday¡¯s 1-0 victory over the Braves with right calf tightness, but he seems to have avoided any sort of prolonged absence and could return to action for Sunday¡¯s series finale at Petco Park.
After he swung and missed at a pitch during his fourth-inning at-bat, Machado winced in pain, then attempted to stretch that right calf. He was evaluated by a team trainer and would remain in the game to finish the at-bat, flying out to right field.
But Machado immediately retreated to the clubhouse, and he was replaced at third base by Jose Iglesias, who was making his Padres debut.
¡°Manny looks like he¡¯s going to be fine,¡± manager Mike Shildt said. ¡°He cramped up, and the cramp stayed with him. It got to a point where it just didn¡¯t make any sense to stay with him. ¡ Didn¡¯t want to risk anything.¡±
Both Shildt and Machado said it was possible Machado could play on Sunday. But for now, his status is ¡°day to day,¡± per Shildt.
¡°I think Shildty did the right thing there, just taking me out, precautionary stuff, maybe keeping it from being something worse,¡± Machado said. ¡°It was just a little cramp. I¡¯ve felt stuff like that before. It¡¯s not a big deal, nothing too concerning.¡±
If Machado were to miss further time, Iglesias would presumably take over the starting role at third. The Padres signed Iglesias in early March after his strong season with the Mets in 2024.