Manny Machado injury update: Padres slugger is fielding ground balls

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been sidelined for eight games and counting with an ankle injury. He’s managed to avoid the injured list, but it’s still unclear when exactly he’ll return. He seems to be making good progress.

According to MLB.com, Machado reported that his ankle “feels better every day” and he was able to run some bases and field ground balls on Tuesday.

He’ll likely stay off the injured list for good if he continues to progress quickly. The Padres are struggling without Machado, so avoiding the injured list is a best-case scenario.

The San Diego Padres offense is struggling without Manny Machado

Machado has been carrying the lineup all season. Since his absence, the Padres have lost five straight games. The lineup was unsustainable with sole reliance on him, and now it’s even less sustainable.

Machado provides power no other San Diego player can produce. He has great isolated power (.217) and is hitting .328/.400/.545, significantly the best on the team.

Luckily, the lineup still holds some potential, but it’s unlikely to be enough to secure enough wins. San Diego outfielder Jurickson Profar has shown increasing talent this season and significantly increased his isolated power from .093 last season to .167 this season. He’s been one of the most surprising key members of the lineup without Machado.

With Machado, the Padres’ have the seventh-lowest isolated power among all teams in the league (.138). They also have the 11th-highest strikeout rate. Without Machado considered, the numbers are likely even lower.

Machado has undoubtedly had the biggest impact on San Diego this season and has been the most reliable hitter in the absence of Fernando Tatís Jr. The Padres need him back as soon as possible.