BALTIMORE -- It was not too much of a stretch (literally) for Manny Machado to make his first Major League start at shortstop Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Machado typically moves to that spot from third base on an infield shift. With regular shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list with a left groin strain, it provided the perfect opportunity to move Machado to his natural position -- even if it is short term.
Machado didn't have a ball hit to him until the fifth inning. However, he managed a nifty 6-4-3 double play on the hard grounder by Joey Butler.