Manny Machado Injury: Updates on Orioles Star's Knee and Recovery

As the Baltimore Orioles prepare to encounter the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series Thursday, third baseman Manny Machado revealed he is still on track to be ready for spring training after knee surgery.   

According to Machado, via Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, he could begin jogging in a pool soon at the team's complex in Sarasota, Florida:

Machado, 22, last played on Aug. 11 against the New York Yankees, where he suffered a partially torn ligament in his right knee. In 82 games this season, he tallied a .278/.324/.431 slash line with 12 home runs and 32 RBI as a critical cog in one of the league's top lineups.

Now headed for his fourth season in the majors, Machado underwent a routine surgery with no setbacks and told Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun that his time would be spent focusing on rehab rather than traveling with the team during the postseason push:

The one-time All-Star will be sorely missed in the Baltimore lineup this postseason after he seemed to be truly taking another step forward in the months before his injury, hitting .333 in July and .378 in August.

By all accounts, the initial timetable targeting a return next spring still stands. Regardless of the postseason outcome for the team, getting back one of the premier defenders at third base and a blossoming talent is a dash of good news.