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Baltimore Orioles: Tim Beckham Back to Shortstop After Machado Trade

By Christopher Church

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles in action during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 5, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 05: Tim Beckham #1 of the Baltimore Orioles in action during a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 5, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles will begin to the second half of the 2018 MLB season without their All-Star shortstop Manny Machado as Tim Beckham returns to shortstop.

The 2018 Baltimore Orioles season resumes on Friday as reality sets in for fans and teammates that former Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is long gone with the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result, the Orioles will send Tim Beckham back to his primary position at shortstop when the Orioles open a three-game series at the Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays.

With Beckham taking over the starting shortstop role, it allows manager Buck Showalter to insert Danny Valencia back in the starting lineup at third base, along with Jace Peterson likely to earn some playing time at third base as well.

Beckham has missed much of the 2018 season after suffering a groin injury in April and underwent core muscle surgery that sidelined up for about two months. The former No. 1 overall pick returned from the 60-day disabled list on June 25 against the Seattle Mariners.

Prior to his injury, Beckham was hitting just .179 with a home run and four RBIs in 84 at-bats. Along with struggles at the plate, Beckham struggled defensively in his new position as the Orioles everyday third baseman.  Beckham committed seven errors in 40 games while playing third base this season. Lastly, Beckham’s .938 fielding percentage at third base is a career-low.

Since returning from surgery, Beckham has a .235/.262/.321 slash line with 19 hits, four doubles and a home run. Will Beckham flourish in his return to shortstop and with time off during the All-Star break?

Next: A Look at the 5 Prospects From the Machado Trade

Last season when the Orioles acquired Beckham at the trade deadline, the 28-year-old had one of the most impressive second-half performances in 2017 by smashing 10 home runs, 26 RBIs and 13 doubles in the last 50 games of the year. Furthermore, Beckham posted a .306/.348/.523 slash line in the remaining 50 games, along with an outstanding 0.514 win probability added.

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