DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) — A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will “probably” have season-ending surgery on his injured right knee.
The person spoke to the AP on Friday under condition of anonymity because there was no official confirmation of Machado’s plans. A decision was expected this weekend.
Yahoo! Sports first reported earlier in the day that the 22-year-old All-Star was likely done for the year.
The Orioles began the day with a nine-game lead in the AL East, the biggest division margin in the majors.
Machado is hitting .278 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs in 82 games. Slugger Chris Davis, Jonathan Schoop and Ryan Flaherty also have played third base for Baltimore this year.
Machado sprained his knee while taking an awkward swing against the New York Yankees on Aug. 11. He crumpled in the batter’s box, limped off the field and was on crutches after the game.
Last year, Machado missed the final week of the season because of an injury to his other knee.
Before their 4-1 loss Friday to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Orioles said Machado wouldn’t be ready to return when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 27.
Last season, Machado was an All-Star, won a Gold Glove and played in every Orioles’ game until hurting his left knee. He had surgery and didn’t play in a regular-season game this year until May 1.
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