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O's optimistic about Machado's knee

Club's top prospect underwent examination, MRI on Friday
May 6, 2011
Orioles top prospect Manny Machado was carried off the field with a left knee injury during Class A Delmarva's game Thursday night, but after undergoing an examination Friday, will reportedly miss just three to seven games.

Though more will be known on Friday night when Baltimore receives the results from the MRI Machado underwent in the afternoon, the injury is only a minor sprain, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.

The former first-round pick walked to load the bases in the first inning against Asheville, but had to be helped off the field after he fell running to third on Michael Flacco's bases-loaded liner up the middle -- Machado was tagged out on the play after he collapsed.

The infielder was carried off the field and replaced at shortstop by Jonathan Schoop, who moved over from third. Adam Gaylord entered the game in Machado's No. 3 spot in the lineup and took over at the corner.

Orioles director of player development John Stockstill said he was told MLB.com's No. 24 top prospect wasn't in a lot of pain after leaving the game, according to a report in the Baltimore Sun.

The native of Hialeah, Fla., is batting .333 with five homers, 21 RBIs, three steals and a pair of triples in 24 games. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 Draft, debuting briefly last summer in the Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues.

The 18-year-old has hit .400 with 13 RBIs in his last 10 games. He homered in three straight contests April 25-27 and connected again on consecutive nights April 30-May 1.

Entering the game, Machado ranked fifth in the South Atlantic League in RBIs, tied for second in walks (18) and triples, eighth in on-base percentage (.445) and tied for 11th in hits (30).

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com.