Manny Machado Won't Play in Padres' Cactus League Opener, Could Return Soon

There is a silver lining here for one of the league's best players.

On Wednesday, Padres manager Mike Shildt announced that team cornerstone Manny Machado will not play in Thursday's Cactus League opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His return timeline is not known but he could return to the batter's box "sooner rather than later."

Mike Shildt says a number of Padres regulars will play tomorrow's Cactus League opener. Manny Machado, coming off elbow surgery, will not play, but is "trending in a really good place," Shildt says. He adds that Machado could DH "sooner rather than later."

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) February 21, 2024

Machado, 31, underwent surgery to repair an extensor tendon in his throwing arm in October. While he will not man the hot corner for the start of the season, he expects to be the team's designated hitter in the meantime. 

This leaves the Friars without a third baseman for the moment. Fangraphs currently lists Matthew Batten as Machado's replacement. 

The team has a couple of non-roster invitees in camp that could see time at third base, too.

They signed 28-year-old Mason McCoy early in the offseason to a minor league contract. He had a cup of coffee last year with the Toronto Blue Jays at shortstop but did make several starts at third base at the Triple-A level.

Padres' 2022 second-round draft pick, Graham Pauley, could be the next prospect to jump from Double-A to the major league level. At 22 years old, Pauley had a .931 OPS in Double-A last year playing primarily third base.

The front office could also sign a veteran to fill in for Machado. Evan Longoria could play third base and then transition to DH once Machado returns. They could also take a flier on someone like Edwin Ríos who has shown promise at the plate but does not have a home defensively.

However they decide to move forward, San Diego only needs a band-aid at the position before one of the best in the game returns.