MLB teams
Eddie Matz, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Orioles' Manny Machado starts at shortstop for first time as pro

MLB, Baltimore Orioles

BALTIMORE -- Manny Machado made his first career start at shortstop Monday night in the Orioles' series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays after 419 games at third base.

Machado, a third baseman who won a Gold Glove in 2013, made an excellent play in the sixth inning of the Orioles' 6-3 loss, ranging far to his right to make a backhand pickup in the hole before making an off-balance, one-hop throw that retired Rene Rivera.

The Orioles, who entered having lost 10 of their last 11 games while averaging just 2.7 runs over that stretch, fell six games out of the second American League wild-card spot with the loss.

Machado, 23, was drafted as a shortstop with the third overall pick in 2010, and he played 203 minor league games at the position. But when he made his major league debut in August 2012, it was as a third baseman because the Orioles already had Gold Glover J.J. Hardy at shortstop. Until Monday, every major league game that Machado started had been at third base.

A three-time All-Star, Machado won his first Gold Glove following the 2013 season, when his 35 defensive runs saved led all AL fielders.

That year, he also received the Platinum Glove, an award given to the one player in each league considered to be the premier fielder.

Machado made his professional shortstop debut eight days ago in Baltimore during a 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Twins. He played one inning there after Hardy was removed for a pinch runner. In Machado's first chance, he committed an error that led to the winning run. Hardy, who'd been dealing with a sore back, was placed on the 15-day disabled list next day. He is eligible to return Tuesday.

Veteran Paul Janish was called up from Triple-A Norfolk to add infield depth and has started four of the team's last six games at shortstop. A career .215 hitter known for his fielding, Janish has four hits in 13 at-bats since being promoted.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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