Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who was limited to 82 games last season due to injury, is expected to see a lot of playing time during spring training, per MLB.com. Machado is coming off season-ending knee surgery for a second straight year.
“I’ll take as many [at-bats] as I can get,” Machado said. “I haven’t played in a long time. As much as I can get, I’ll take it. I’m pumped for spring. I’m pumped to play some games. I want to get out there and play as much as I can. If I need to go on extra road trip games, I’ll go. If I have to stay back, I’ll stay back. No matter what, I’m just excited to play.”
Machado said he hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery from knee surgery and remains hopeful of being ready by opening day.
“I think everything has been going smooth, knock on wood,” Machado said. “Everything’s been going good. I’ve just got to keep my strength up. I’ve got two brand new knees now, so it’s just time to go out there and play and keep do what I’ve been doing, stay on it.”