The Baltimore Orioles are on track to win the American League East for the first time since 1997, but they might have to embark on a World Series run without one of their best players.
Third baseman Manny Machado, who has battled injuries throughout his brief MLB career, might not play again in 2014 because of a knee issue.
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Machado missed the last part of the 2013 season with a left knee injury. This time, it’s his right knee that needs to be repaired.
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While losing a player of Machado’s caliber is a blow to the Orioles’ lineup, the team still ranks eighth in the majors in runs scored, sixth in batting average and third in slugging percentage even though their phenom has played in just 82 games. Baltimore has a winning percentage of .590 (26-18) when Machado doesn’t start at third base.
Machado hasn’t played since Aug. 11 against the New York Yankees. The 22-year-old is hitting .278 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs this season.
