Manny Machado Injury: Updates on Orioles Star's Knee, Likely Return Date

Baltimore Orioles fans, it's time to hold your collective breath: Star 21-year-old Manny Machado went down with what appears to be a very serious knee injury on Monday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

The third baseman beat out an infield single in the seventh inning of Monday's contest against the Rays, but he hit the base awkwardly and went tumbling to the ground.

The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly commented on the frightening scene:

"

They are calling for a stretcher for Manny. Looks like his left knee buckled badly as he stepped on first base. Looks terrible folks

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) September 23, 2013"

 Manager Buck Showalter has since confirmed that Machado's season is over.

Updates for Friday, Nov. 22:

Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that the Orioles are confident Machado will be ready for opening day: 

"

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continues to progress favorably in rehab from left knee surgery, and manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday the expectation is Machado will be ready for Opening Day.

"We put a real safe date on it," Showalter said of Machado's timetable, which initially was estimated at six months for a mid-April return. "I think he's got a real chance to make the start of the season. [He] needs to play in [spring] games by March 15 to make the season."

"