Padres' Machado Leaves Cardinals' Quintana With a Bruised Elbow
San Diego's Star Third Baseman's Slide Took Out St. Louis' Pitcher
The Play and Immediate Aftermath
On Monday, June 19, 2023, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado slid hard into St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Genesis Quintana, injuring Quintana's elbow in the process. The incident occurred in the bottom of the fourth inning at Busch Stadium.
As Quintana attempted to field a ground ball, Machado came barreling in, making contact with the pitcher's left elbow. Quintana immediately fell to the ground in pain, and the Padres' medical staff rushed out to attend to him.
Quintana was diagnosed with a left elbow contusion and was forced to leave the game. The Cardinals announced that he would be placed on the 10-day injured list.
The Reactions
Machado expressed regret for the incident, saying he was "just trying to make a play." However, some, including Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, felt that Machado's slide was unnecessary and reckless.
Marmol said, "I didn't like the slide. I thought it was a dirty play. I think Machado could have avoided contact with Quintana, but he chose not to.
The incident sparked a debate about the safety of takeout slides in baseball. Some argue that such slides are a legitimate part of the game, while others believe they put pitchers at unnecessary risk.
The Impact
The injury to Quintana is a significant blow to the Cardinals' rotation. The left-hander had been one of their most reliable starters this season, posting a 3.45 ERA in 12 starts.
The Padres, meanwhile, will be without Machado for at least a few days. The All-Star third baseman is one of their most important players, and his absence will be felt.
The Conclusion
The Machado-Quintana incident is a reminder of the inherent dangers of baseball. While takeout slides are a part of the game, they can also lead to serious injuries.
It is up to the players and umpires to ensure that these slides are executed safely. The MLB may also need to consider rule changes to further protect pitchers from injury.
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