Manny Machado injury update: Orioles third baseman out for season with knee injury

Manny Machado's season has come to a close only three and a half months after it started. According to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli, Machado will miss the rest of the season following knee surgery:

Manny Machado is reportedly done for the season and will undergo surgery next week: http://t.co/yOjpeqftao #Orioles

— Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) August 22, 2014

Machado has been a cornerstone at the hot corner for Baltimore after missing the first month of the season. Though he struggled upon his return, Machado was hitting .278/.324/.431 with sterling defense at third base. He left a game against the New York Yankees on August 11th after spraining his knee, but further tests showed the damage was more extensive than originally believed.

Though the Orioles are certainly going to miss the flexibility and production that Machado provides, they are entrenched in first place in the American League East and, despite the injury, are in a supreme position to win the East and return to the playoffs again for the second time in three seasons.

The Machado injury has more implications long-term, as the third baseman's injury history is becoming more chronic and persistent. Baltimore's future is far from certain, as this year's success has been as much voodoo and black magic as it has been earnest production.The Orioles don't have a single pitcher with an fWAR above 1.7, by far the lowest of any playoff contender in the American League. The bullpen, outside of Darren O'Day and Zach Britton, has been shaky at best. Machado, along with premiere outfielder Adam Jones, represent a young core for future Orioles teams to build around.

The Orioles will get through this season just fine, but they'll need Machado in the future for continued success.