Manny Machado is having his roughest MLB season, hitting just .178 with 12 home runs through 67 games.
What happened?
He entered play Sunday with a dismal record, and it does not sound like he is having a ton of fun.
Machado told Gabe Lacques of USA Today that the ups and downs of baseball can feel like 'being tortured'.
Why it matters for Manny Machado
The veteran is adamant that he can still get back to his best, but the slump is taking a toll on him.
He has been terse with reporters over his struggles, and ranted about analytics as if they have anything to do with his poor performances.
What comes next?
Machado is a career .275 hitter, which is also the exact mark he hit in 2025, making his current slump all the more surprising.
On Sunday, he was still trying to break out of his slump, with no end in sight.
Machado's offensive capabilities could crater in one offseason, but he is coping in his own unique way, comparing the game to a 'rollercoaster' of ups and downs.
He loves the game, despite the struggles, and is determined to get back to his best, citing the beauty of playing the game.
Machado's struggles are a far cry from his usual form, and it remains to be seen how he will turn his season around, but for now, he is stuck in a slump, searching for a way out.
The San Diego Padres infielder will have to dig deep to find his form again, but with his determination and love for the game, he may yet turn his season around, and get back to hitting like his old self, a career .275 hitter