San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado departed Saturday’s 1-0 victory against the visiting Atlanta Braves due to right calf tightness.
Machado was injured while swinging at a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning. A trainer examined Machado, who attempted to stretch the calf. Machado initially stayed in the game and flew out to right.
Machado said after the contest that he expects manager Mike Shildt to write his name on the lineup card for Sunday’s game.
“I think Shildty did the right thing there, kind of just taking me out and precautionary stuff and not letting it maybe be something worse,” Machado said. “It was just a little cramp. I’ve felt stuff like that before. It’s not a big deal. It’s nothing too concerning, for sure.”
Machado was replaced in the field by Jose Iglesias at the top of the fifth inning. It was Iglesias’ San Diego debut.
Machado was 0-for-2 before exiting and is 2-for-9 in three games.
The six-time All-Star is in his seventh season with the Padres. He has hit a franchise-record 167 homers, breaking the longstanding mark that Nate Colbert (163) held for 50-plus years.
–Field Level Media