After injuring his hand, the San Diego Padres desperately tried to keep Manny Machado off the IL. He took a fastball to his hand in Monday's game against the Kansas City Royals, and CT scans showed a small fracture.Manager Bob Melvin gave him the week off to reevaluate the All-Star third baseman. Things have not progressed as hoped, so they're giving Machado a breather. He'll be headed to the 10-day IL.Kevin Acee@sdutKevinAceeManny Machado is going on the IL.Brandon Dixon is here.10522Manny Machado is going on the IL.Brandon Dixon is here.In Machado's place, San Diego is calling up Brandon Dixon. Dixon is an infielder who the Los Angeles Dodgers selected in the third round of the 2013 draft. He's sparingly seen time at the major league level bouncing between the Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the NPB.Machado's absence is a bummer for the team, but it is something he could use. He hasn't been himself at the plate this season. Some time off may do him some good and refresh his mind."I'd rather have Manny go on IL now than later. Let it heal fully while there is still lots of time," one fan tweeted.David Medina@DavidMedina_I'd rather have Manny go on IL now then later. Let it heal fully while there is still lots of time #Padres twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/…Kevin Acee@sdutKevinAceeManny Machado is going on the IL.Brandon Dixon is here.10622Manny Machado is going on the IL.Brandon Dixon is here.I'd rather have Manny go on IL now then later. Let it heal fully while there is still lots of time #Padres twitter.com/sdutKevinAcee/…"I hate it here," another fan tweeted.Summer@summer_n23I hate it here twitter.com/dennistlin/sta…Dennis Lin@dennistlinManny Machado seems resigned to going on the IL for the first time since 2014. He said he understands the fractured metacarpal needs to heal. “It’s not like the ankle stuff last year,” Machado said.122Manny Machado seems resigned to going on the IL for the first time since 2014. He said he understands the fractured metacarpal needs to heal. “It’s not like the ankle stuff last year,” Machado said.I hate it here twitter.com/dennistlin/sta…Quality Starts Win Championships@bubbleoftub@dennistlin :( Dennis comfort me7@dennistlin :( Dennis comfort meTHE FRIAR@SwingFriarFriarHe can have my metacarpal twitter.com/dennistlin/sta…Dennis Lin@dennistlinManny Machado seems resigned to going on the IL for the first time since 2014. He said he understands the fractured metacarpal needs to heal. “It’s not like the ankle stuff last year,” Machado said.14722Manny Machado seems resigned to going on the IL for the first time since 2014. He said he understands the fractured metacarpal needs to heal. “It’s not like the ankle stuff last year,” Machado said.He can have my metacarpal twitter.com/dennistlin/sta…San Diego Padres fans aren't happy to see Manny Machado heading to the IL. He's the team's leader, even if he isn't playing up to par.Andy V@andyvsd@sdutKevinAcee Great now Odor will be in the lineup even more. Why have they not brought up Iglesias. At least he’s a good contact hitter.3@sdutKevinAcee Great now Odor will be in the lineup even more. Why have they not brought up Iglesias. At least he’s a good contact hitter.Mark@MarkMel06909928@sdutKevinAcee Punt the season, trade Soto, let Snell walk and go after Ohtani in the Summer!4@sdutKevinAcee Punt the season, trade Soto, let Snell walk and go after Ohtani in the Summer!Rushman00@Jay76767086@sdutKevinAcee With Soto, X and Tatis we should still be better than last years team@sdutKevinAcee With Soto, X and Tatis we should still be better than last years teamKinsler’s finger@KinslersFinger@sdutKevinAcee For how long?@sdutKevinAcee For how long?Mr. Velazquez@HugoVel75021062@sdutKevinAcee Why is this organization so mediocre? First report was X-Ray report negative. Then, he is injured, but no need for being in IL, tomorrow he needs end season surgery … same with Tatis’ case,,, C’mon man!@sdutKevinAcee Why is this organization so mediocre? First report was X-Ray report negative. Then, he is injured, but no need for being in IL, tomorrow he needs end season surgery … same with Tatis’ case,,, C’mon man!Fans are ready to jump ship this season. Few could have predicted the team to be struggling this much at this point.Do Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres have a chance to turn this around?San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles DodgersGoing into the weekend, the San Diego Padres are in fourth place in the National League West with a 20-24 record. They're just a game above the Colorado Rockies, who sit in last place in the division.They're 7.5 games back behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. If they keep playing like they have been all season, they will dig themselves in too deep of a hole to climb out of.San Diego needs players like Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. to step it up, especially in the absence of Manny Machado. Another player that the team could use to break out of his slump is Jake Cronenworth. He's hitting just .220 after a few surging seasons at the plate.San Diego needs their core players to step up and get them out of this hole.