BALTIMORE -- Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has a right knee ligament sprain -- welcome news for a team contending for a berth in the AL playoffs.
An MRI performed Thursday afternoon revealed no structural damage, but Machado still could land on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.
"There will be some work he has to do to come back and play," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters Tuesday. "[Placing Machado on the DL is] under consideration. It may take some time for him to heal. Obviously we will know more [Wednesday], but I'd say that's a consideration right now."
Machado, who began the season on the DL while recovering from offseason surgery on his left knee, crumpled in a heap at the plate after taking an awkward swing in Monday's game against the New York Yankees. He had to be helped off the field and had a pair of crutches resting against his locker when he talked to reporters.
Baltimore's game against the Yankees on Tuesday was postponed and will be made up as part of a split-admission doubleheader on Sept. 12.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who also had an MRI on Thursday, has a sprained left thumb.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked if either player was a candidate for the disabled list.
"I'm not going to handicap it," he replied. "I don't know yet, but just because someone goes on the DL doesn't mean that he's not going to play again this year, or he's going to have surgery or this and that. Sometimes that does clean it up. Right now we've got rooms for both of them in Chicago and Cleveland."
The Orioles have a scheduled off day Thursday before opening a three-game series in Cleveland, followed by three games apiece against the White Sox and Cubs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
