Machado Plays Through Injury in Wild-Card Battle | San Diego Padres News

Manny Machado’s sore finger hasn’t slowed him down—he’s still starting at third base for the Padres, hitting with noticeable effort as he fights to keep his team alive in the wild-card race. With a game-and-a-half lead over the Diamondbacks on the line, the Padres head to Tampa for a crucial three-game series against the elite Rays. Machado’s stats have dipped this season, but his July surge and relentless presence make him vital. The lineup shifts: Rengifo bats second, Bogaerts climbs to sixth, Hays slots in as DH, and Cronenworth takes ninth. On the mound, Casey Mize, recovering from an ankle sprain, faces off against Shane McLanahan—fresh off Tommy John surgery and firing on all cylinders. This is a high-stakes showdown where every at-bat matters, and Machado’s grit could be the difference between playoff dreams and heartbreak. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/20a314c991ca08ab