Machado missed the first month of this season after injuring his other knee in the final days of the 2013 season and then having surgery. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
BALTIMORE — Third baseman Manny Machado is leaving the team to have season-ending surgery on his right knee Wednesday in Los Angeles. Talking before Monday’s game with Tampa Bay, it was easy to see how difficult a choice this was for Machado at this time.
“It was not an easy decision,” Machado said. “It’s something you’ve got to really think through, something that’s life-changing. It’s a hard decision.”
Machado missed the first month of this season after injuring his other knee in the final days of the 2013 season and then having surgery. Doing the surgery now will let him have a full spring training next year. He had none this season, which probably slowed him early.
Machado also said the knee still feels loose and like it’s wobbling a bit, so he wanted to get everything fixed now.
He’s upset that there’s a chance he could miss the celebration if the Orioles win the American League East, which they led by six games coming into this series with Tampa Bay.
The third baseman wants to try and get back for the big party, but it might be too soon after the surgery. He’s not sure yet how it’s all going to play out.
“I want to be part of the celebration,” Machado said. “I want to be a part of … this special thing that we’ve got going on here. I’m going to try and make the effort to be here.”
