DETROIT -- Dixon Machado's tenure as a Detroit Tiger was doomed by two factors: The emergence of Niko Goodrum, and Machado's offseason attempt to alter his swing plane.
That was manager Ron Gardenhire's assessment one day after the Tigers designated Machado for assignment.
The team now has seven days to trade Machado or place him on waivers. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, Machado could choose to remain in the organization although he would also have the right to declare free agency.
"Machado needs to play. He doesn't need to sit," Gardenhire said. "His struggles forced us to do something like this.