San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado Unlikely to be Activated from Disabled List for Series Against New York Yankees

On Wednesday he fielded a few ground balls and hit soft throws. However, it remains unlikely that he will come off the disabled list on Friday, when he will be eligible to be activated.

“New York is going to be tough,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said, referring to the Friars’ three-game series against the Yankees beginning Friday. “We are seeing how it is progressing on a daily basis. But I don’t expect to have him in the lineup tomorrow.”

It’s unclear if the slugger has been cleared for unrestricted batting practice. That seems to be the last obstacle he will have to overcome before returning. However, Machado is expected to return to the Padres without needing a rehab assignment in the minors.