According to FOXSports.com, the Orioles' plan to eventually move third baseman Manny Machado back to his oriiginal position of shortstop. Machado played all but two of his minor league games at shortstop, but the Orioles have used him exclusively as a third baseman over his 207 major league games.
Once Machado is ready to return from his recovery from knee surgery, which should be early next season, he will return to third base. However, incumbent shortstop J.J. Hardy is entering the final season of a three-year deal, so a potential post-2014 departure could open the door for Machado to change positions.
While a return to shortstop could be in Machado's future, FOXSports.com reports that Orioles manager Buck Showalter and at least some members of the team's front office view Hardy as an integral part of the team's future.