Manny Machado will start for the Padres Saturday

GLENDALE, Arizona – It's official: Saturday is Manny's day.
Manny Machado will make his highly anticipated debut in the Cactus League for the Padres on Saturday afternoon, starting from third base against the Giants.

GLENDALE, Arizona – It's official: Saturday is Manny's day.

Manny Machado will make his much-anticipated Cactus League debut for the Padres on Saturday afternoon, starting from third base against the Giants.

"I'm so excited to be there," Machado told MLB.com.

Machado worked at the Padres compound in Peoria on Friday afternoon, after which San Diego decided he was ready for his first game. Manager Andy Green said Machado would "play a few rounds" against the Giants.

"We just wanted to be able to build a progression that worked well for him, so make sure he was moving well on the ground," Green said. "He feels strong. We continued to communicate with him daily, trying to trace his path. I'm happy that he plays a little tomorrow, that he gets wet in the Cactus League, and then that he advances. "

Infield works with Manny, Tatis Jr., Kins and Hos #PadresST https://t.co/GL1AqXyIVJ

– San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 1, 2019

The Padres signed a $ 300 million, 10-year contract with Machado. It was at the time of the largest guaranteed contract ever signed by an independent athlete in North American team sports. Bryce Harper's $ 330 million deal has been overshadowed this week, but Machado's annual salary will be $ 4 million higher than Harper's.

The signing of Machado has boosted the base of Padres supporters. So it's no surprise that Saturday's debut takes place in a televised match on Fox Sports San Diego and broadcast on 93.7 FM, the team's flagship radio station in San Diego.