(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
In case you thought the San Diego Padres‘ 2023 season couldn’t take a turn for the worse, think again.
Now that they have finally been able to string together a few games in a row (it might be too late, but there has been no bell yet), one of their best players might be contemplating elbow surgery that might require several months of rehab.
That surgery, however, won’t take place as long as the Padres are in postseason contention.
Right now, they are 73-78, 5.5 games out of the last Wild Card spot.
If the Padres miraculously advance to October, the expectation is that Manny Machado will keep playing, although that might be dictated by pain management.
As soon as they are out, he might elect to get elbow surgery.
“Manny Machado said it looks like they are leaning toward surgery to handle the recurring tennis elbow he’s been experiencing. Might have the surgery before end of season. Said they’ve tried shots, treatment, etc., but the last three months have been especially tough,” field reporter Annie Heilbrunn tweeted.
She also reported: “Machado said it is likely a 6-7 month rehab after having the surgery. Expects to be ready by spring training.”
Machado said it is likely a 6-7 month rehab after having the surgery. Expects to be ready by spring training.
— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) September 18, 2023
Tennis elbow is the informal name for lateral epicondylitis, which is essentially “swelling or tearing of the tendons that bend the wrist backward away from the palm,” per Johns Hopkins Medicine.
It is believed that the injury has affected Machado’s offensive performance this year, as his .766 OPS pales in comparison to the .898 he had in 2022 and his .828 career mark.
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