No matter the numbers and games played, Manny Machado incurs the wrath of baseball and even pockets of his own fan base for failing to run out a ground ball now and again.
So when Machado said he’s taken his offseason training to the “next level,” skeptics gather in the wings. When the All-Star four times over said he feels better coming into this season than ever in his star-studded career, eye-rolling awaits.
New Padres manager Jayce Tingler believes him. Why? Well, he has the hamstring to prove it.
Tingler slipped off to Miami for a few days not only to bond with Machado, but to jump into workouts with his third baseman.