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Machado to visit doctor who performed surgery

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will leave camp on Thursday morning and fly to Los Angeles for a quick day trip to be re-examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed his October knee surgery.

"If you're expecting a 'yea' or 'nay' from this doctor tomorrow on Manny [playing in games], it's probably not going to happen as far a decision, because that decision has already been given to us," manager Buck Showalter said after Wednesday's game. "It's pretty much in our hands."

Machado has been doing some pool running the past few days, but he has not resumed on-field running just yet. Obviously, he would have to run before being cleared to play. Machado was shut down from running last week due to scar tissue in his left knee causing some discomfort, which is a natural part of the rehab process.

"This isn't some check, now you can start doing everything [evaluation]," Showalter said. "That's been the potential anyway. [Head trainer] Richie [Bancells] reminded me of that today.

"[Machado] hasn't had a setback, knee-wise. We know that. He's had that scar tissue below, so Manny's leaving tomorrow morning, and he'll be back late, late with the red-eye. It's not like he's magically going to start playing in games the day he gets back. When Richie and our people feel he's ready, he'll play, so this isn't some get-out-of-jail card he's going to get."

Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli.
Read More: Baltimore Orioles, Manny Machado