Padres' Machado Exits Cubs Win Early with Leg Injury Precaution

San Diego Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado left Monday night's 9-7 win over the Chicago Cubs early with an apparent lower body injury, though manager Craig Stammen said after the game the situation does not appear serious.

Machado was removed following a groundout in the bottom of the sixth inning at Petco Park. He had put together one of his better nights at the plate before the exit, going three-for-four with two doubles — the second of which was the 400th double of his career [NEEDS VERIFICATION on career milestone]. Stammen told reporters the decision to pull him was strictly precautionary.

"He's fine," Stammen said. "We took him out as precaution. It looked like he was just going down the line a little slow, came out of the box a little awkwardly. He had a couple slides at second that didn't feel great on his lower half. So we'll talk to him tomorrow, see how he's feeling and then evaluate him going forward."

If Machado needs to sit for a game or two without landing on the injured list, Ty France and Miguel Andujar figure as the most likely replacements at third base, according to club officials. France, who won a Gold Glove at first base last season, shifted to third on Monday after Machado's exit. Andujar made one start at the hot corner earlier this year when Machado had a scheduled day off.

Should the injury require an injured list stint, the Padres would likely call up Sung-Mun Song from Triple-A. The 29-year-old signed with San Diego this offseason on a four-year, $15 million deal out of the Korea Baseball Organization, where he won a Gold Glove at third base in 2025. Song missed the start of the season with an oblique injury but made his MLB debut Sunday as a pinch-runner during the club's two-game series in Mexico City before being optioned back down Monday.

The Padres are expected to have a clearer picture of Machado's availability Tuesday when the team reassembles at the ballpark.

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