The deactivation came late Saturday night, July 26, following a fiery 3-1 Padres win over the St. Louis Cardinals in which Machado was hit by a pitch twice - the first time in his 13-year MLB career he's been plunked twice in the same game. His second hit-by-pitch in the ninth inning ignited a benches-clearing confrontation involving Cardinals coach Jon Jay, a former friend and offseason workout partner of Machado's whose confrontation on the field appeared to shatter whatever remained of their once-close relationship.
After the dust settled from the game, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Machado's verified Instagram account, which had around a millions followers and frequently featured family photos, team posts, and promotional content, had vanished from the platform entirely. The move raised eyebrows, especially since the account had "liked" a post recently questioning the Padres’ financial commitment and roster construction—content many interpreted as either pointed criticism or an accidental social media misstep.
While no official explanation has been offered by Machado or the Padres, the sudden disappearance from Instagram adds a new layer to an already dramatic weekend for the seven-time All-Star and the playoff-contending Padres.
"It’s hot, it’s that time of year," Padres manager Mike Shildt said after Saturday’s game, brushing off the escalating tension. But for Machado, the intensity was more than just heat-of-the-moment frustration. When asked about the altercation with Jay, Machado dismissed they are friends and delivered a loaded line: "I know the real him," before declining to elaborate further.
The unexpected social media silence from Machado - one of the Padres' most vocal and visible stars - comes at a critical moment for the club. San Diego is clinging to the final National League Wild Card spot and preparing to face the Cardinals again Sunday, hoping to win in the final game of a volatile four-game series, with a rematch looming next weekend at Petco Park.
As rumors swirl and fan theories multiply, the only certainty is that Machado remains one of the most compelling and polarizing figures in baseball - both on the field and online, even when he suddenly disappears from it. The Padres and Cardinals face off again Sunday at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 11:15am PT. All eyes will be watching - not just the field, but perhaps, refreshingly, Instagram as well.
"It’s hot, it’s that time of year," Padres manager Mike Shildt said after Saturday’s game, brushing off the escalating tension. But for Machado, the intensity was more than just heat-of-the-moment frustration. When asked about the altercation with Jay, Machado dismissed they are friends and delivered a loaded line: "I know the real him," before declining to elaborate further.
The unexpected social media silence from Machado - one of the Padres' most vocal and visible stars - comes at a critical moment for the club. San Diego is clinging to the final National League Wild Card spot and preparing to face the Cardinals again Sunday, hoping to win in the final game of a volatile four-game series, with a rematch looming next weekend at Petco Park.
As rumors swirl and fan theories multiply, the only certainty is that Machado remains one of the most compelling and polarizing figures in baseball - both on the field and online, even when he suddenly disappears from it. The Padres and Cardinals face off again Sunday at Busch Stadium. First pitch is set for 11:15am PT. All eyes will be watching - not just the field, but perhaps, refreshingly, Instagram as well.
Originally published on July 26, 2025.
