The Birds Nest

Manny Machado on DL

A sprained knee puts the third basemen on 15-day disabled list.

Right as he was getting hot, Manny Machado sprained his right knee during Monday night’s 11-3 win against the Yankees. Today, it was announced that his injury puts him on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to August 12.

Caused by a twisted right knee on a broken-bat, ground-ball swing, Machado’s injury really throws a wrench into the infield. While he’s out, the Orioles have called up Cord Phelps from Triple-A Norfolk, who has played in all four infield positions. Additionally, the O’s can split up their second basemen Jonathan Schoop and Ryan Flaherty, having them alternate at third. 

Of course, tonight is particularly messy as J.J. Hardy is out with a sprained left thumb, so Flaherty is at short and Chris Davis will be manning third.

Needless to say, no one quite fills the void—neither in hitting nor fielding—of Machado’s absence. But the 2014 Orioles, with all of this season’s unpredictable hurdles, have been resilient. Let’s hope it continues!