Manny Machado returns to the lineup for the San Diego Padres as they seek a series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 9, 2026.
What happened to Manny Machado?
Manny Machado fouled a ball off his left big toe on Tuesday and was limping noticeably, but he remained in the game.
Why the day off?
He got the day off on Wednesday, which also allowed him to take care of a bothersome tooth with a root canal.
Manny Machado's .188 batting average ranks last among MLB qualifiers, but his 18 homers are tops on the team.
Current form
He's hitting .242/.354/.568 with seven homers over his last 26 games.
Manny Machado will play third base and bat cleanup behind right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres have won two in a row after dropping the opener against the Diamondbacks and are a game ahead of them in the wild-card chase.
Pitching matchup
The Padres will face D-backs RHP Merrill Kelly, who has a 3.41 ERA in 18 career starts against the Padres.
Padres RHP Griffin Canning will start for the Padres, with a 4.50 ERA in four career starts against Arizona.
The game is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. on Padres.TV.
The Padres are still 4½ games away from the last wild-card spot with four teams to overtake.
Manny Machado's return to the lineup is a boost for the Padres as they look to win the series.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will look to spoil the Padres' plans with their lineup, which includes Merrill Kelly on the mound.
The Padres' lineup also features Gavin Sheets in left field, Jake Cronenworth at first base, and Luis Campusano behind the plate.
The game promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to gain an edge in the wild-card chase.
The Padres are looking to build on their recent wins and make a push for the playoffs.
Manny Machado's performance will be key to the Padres' success, as they look to win the series and stay ahead of the Diamondbacks.