Machado to continue scheduled rehab

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Prior to Thursday's game, manager Buck Showalter hadn't received any word on Manny Machado's appointment with a doctor on his left knee, although he won't be cleared to start playing in games when he returns. Machado's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, was quoted by ESPN saying Machado's knee is tracking normally and he can continue with his scheduled rehab progression.

"Nothing's changed," Showalter said after the Orioles' game, having been updated on the appointment during the game. "But it's good news to hear someone else say what our training staff is saying."

The Orioles, irked that Machado's appointment was discussed with a national media outlet for a second time, will dictate the schedule moving forward. (Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells did speak with Dr. ElAttrache, but Showalter wasn't sure if that was before or after he was quoted by ESPN.) Machado has been dealing with some discomfort-causing scar tissue and has been unable to run the past week. He would need to continue to progress and begin running again before being cleared to play.

When Machado does start playing games, it is likely that he only appears in Minor League games so the Orioles can backdate the disabled list stint for him to start the season.