masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIt appears the return of shortstop Manny Machado to the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds’ lineup is at least a week away at this point.

The Orioles’ first-round pick in last year’s draft suffered a dislocated left kneecap May 5. The swelling in the knee has gone down and Machado is close to returning to baseball activities. When he shows club officials he is 100 percent, they may still give him a few days to get back up to speed after that.

Machado is batting .333 with six doubles, two…It appears the return of shortstop Manny Machado to the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds’ lineup is at least a week away at this point.

The Orioles’ first-round pick in last year’s draft suffered a dislocated left kneecap May 5. The swelling in the knee has gone down and Machado is close to returning to baseball activities. When he shows club officials he is 100 percent, they may still give him a few days to get back up to speed after that.

Machado is batting .333 with six doubles, two triples, five homers and 21 RBIs in 25 games.

Meanwhile, Double-A first baseman Joe Mahoney, the Orioles’ 2010 minor league Player of the Year, will head to the club’s spring home in Sarasota, Fla., this weekend to continue his rehab from a quad injury.

Mahoney, on the Bowie disabled list for the second time, is batting .235 over 10 games. He last played May 3.

Mahoney’s return is still likely several weeks away and the Orioles are hoping for June 1, although they admit that might be a bit optimistic.

Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Chris George, who left his start after 2 2/3 innings yesterday due to a right hamstring injury, is fine today and should be back on the mound soon.