Machado (elbow) is starting as San Diego's designated hitter for Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Machado sat out the Padres' first few spring training games as he continued to work his way back from offseason elbow surgery, but it now seems he's ready to at least serve in a DH role. It remains unclear whether or not Machado will be able to cover third base by the time the Padres open the season against the Dodgers on March 20.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that Machado (elbow) will be ready to serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games "sooner rather than later," AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Machado won't be in the lineup for the Padres' spring opener Thursday, but Shildt noted that the slugger is "trending in a really good place" as he works his way back from surgery to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. San Diego has an early start to its season with two games against the Dodgers on March 20 and 21 in South Korea, but Machado is tracking toward being ready for that series, even if he's deployed as a DH initially.

Machado (elbow) is swinging with 100 percent effort and playing catch to start spring training, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Machado is recovering from surgery to repair an extensor tendon injury in his elbow, leaving his status for Opening Day in question. For now, the news is positive, with general manager A.J. Preller saying that Machado has hit all expected benchmarks at this point, while also stating that he is "tracking toward" playing in the Padres' series against the Dodgers in Korea to kick off the regular season. Despite the positivity, there's still nothing definitive about Machado's status, as he is limited in the volume of his work and will be eased back into game action.

Machado (elbow) might not be ready to play defense on Opening Day, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Machado underwent surgery in early October to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow. It's an injury he dealt with for much of the 2023 campaign and one which kept him from playing the field in September. The designated hitter duty for Machado could potentially carry over into 2024, with Ha-Seong Kim sliding over to third base.

Machado underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the extensor tendon in his right elbow, Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Machado's estimated recovery timeline is between 4-to-6 months. While that likely means he will be sidelined for the vast majority of spring training, there is a chance he'll be ready to go for Opening Day in 2024.

Machado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Machado will sit for the second straight game to close out the season for San Diego. If the 31-year-old doesn't make an appearance off the bench, he'll close the 2023 campaign with a .258/.319/.462 slash line, 30 homers, 91 RBI and 75 runs in 138 contests.

Machado isn't in the Padres' lineup Saturday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Despite going 11-for-22 with two homers and seven RBI over his last five games, Machado will sit down for the penultimate game of the season Saturday. Matthew Batten will start at third base, and Juan Soto will operate as the DH while Jurickson Profar starts in left field.

Machado went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Wednesday's 5-2 extra-inning win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Machado's third hit of the game was a two-run single in the 10th inning to give the Padres some breathing room. He's gone 10-for-17 with seven RBI over his last four games, but he's also rested regularly while nursing an elbow injury in September. Machado has a .258/.320/.465 slash line with 30 home runs, 91 RBI, 75 runs scored and three stolen bases over 137 contests this year.

Machado is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Machado has been limited to DH duties since the beginning of September because of a right (throwing) elbow injury that may eventually require surgery. Juan Soto will serve as San Diego's designated hitter Tuesday in San Francisco as Matthew Batten covers third base. Jurickson Profar is playing left field.

Machado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Machado has missed a few games lately and has largely been limited to serving as the designated hitter in September due to an elbow injury, and he'll take a seat after the Padres' eight-game win streak was snapped Saturday. Xander Bogaerts will rest his legs as San Diego's designated hitter while Ha-Seong Kim works as shortstop.