Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado made headlines for the wrong reasons this weekend for a series of incidents that led to a pair of bench-clearing altercations during the O's three-game set with the Oakland Athletics, and he could be facing a demotion to the minor leagues due to the outbursts and his poor production. Machado was suspended five games for his role in the incidents.
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The altercations began on Friday when Machado was upset with a tag in his stomach by Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson. After the tag, Machado got in Donaldson's face and the benches cleared without incident. The following game, Machado hit catcher Derek Norris twice with backswings, adding more fuel to the fire.
Machado was then involved in a scrum Sunday after A's reliever Fernando Abad tried to hit him with a pitch. On the following pitch, Machado seemed to attempt to throw his bat in Abad's direction, and the bat flew up the third baseline, luckily not hitting anyone.
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Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said that sending Machado down to the minors remains a possibility.
"That's always an option," Duquette told reporters before the suspension was announced. "The guy distinguished himself in the big leagues last year. We'd much rather see him develop his skills here. But that's always an option."
Machado has since been handed a five-game ban for his antics this past weekend and has slumped mightily in his return from reconstructive knee surgery after hurting his knee late last season. Machado is hitting just .229 through 35 games in 2014.
Machado, 21, was an All-Star last season, leading the league with 51 doubles while hitting .283 with 14 homers, but a mix of his attitude and lack of production may lead to a demotion.
Machado formally apologized for his actions over the weekend as the Orioles dropped two of three to the Athletics, but it didn't keep the MLB from suspending him.
Machado has just four homers this season with 11 RBIs through 140 at-bats.
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