PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – It had been over a year.
But on Sunday afternoon against the New York Mets, Detroit Tigers infielder Dixon Machado made a start at third base.
With third baseman Nick Castellanos out of the lineup recovering from flu-like symptoms, Machado had an opportunity to showcase his versatility, which certainly won’t hurt his chances of capturing a roster spot.
He made good on that opportunity. Twice, Machado made nifty plays. In the first inning, he snared a line drive and doubled a runner off first base. And in the third inning, he made a highlight-reel worthy play, back-handing a rocket to start an inning-ending double play.