Machado suffers sprained ankle running to 1st base
San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado exited Sunday's game with the Colorado Rockies after suffering an ankle injury in the first inning.
Machado was later diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, and X-rays were negative.
After hitting a ground ball, Machado appeared to roll his left ankle as he reached first base. Machado walked off the field with some assistance while putting limited weight on his ankle, according to The Athletic's Dennis Lin.
The absolute last thing the Padres want to see. Manny Machado appears to hurt his ankle after stepping on first base on a groundout. pic.twitter.com/8PJMZwAUNH
— Casey Drottar (@CDrottar19) June 19, 2022
Padres acting manager Ryan Flaherty said postgame that the five-time All-Star was feeling alright. Flaherty added that Machado may have avoided a more serious injury by shifting his weight as he slipped across the base.
"All in all, as good as it could be," Flaherty said, per Lin.
A trip to the injured list appears likely for Machado, as the Padres don't have a potential timetable for his return just yet. Shortly after the injury occurred, infielder C.J. Abrams was removed from Triple-A El Paso's lineup, according to Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The 29-year-old has emerged as an early front-runner for National League MVP this season.
Machado entered Sunday's game hitting .329/.401/.548 with 12 home runs, 48 runs scored, 46 RBIs, and seven stolen bases across 65 games.