Iowa Cubs infielder Dixon Machado is eying an MLB return after overcoming an injury in 2019

Back in September of 2019, the Chicago Cubs were desperate for another infielder. The Cubs, who were in the midst of fighting for a spot in the postseason, had already lost infielders Javier Baez and Addison Russell to injures.

The next person in line was Dixon Machado of the Iowa Cubs.

Machado, who was crushing his way through a strong season in the minors with the Cubs, had made a compelling case for a call-up. But he was out with a quad injury. So, the Cubs made a call to young prospect Nico Hoerner who had already returned home at the conclusion of the Double-A season.

It became a monumental move for both players. Hoerner became a mainstay in Chicago’s middle infield when he hasn't been battling injuries. Machado, meanwhile, never got to the big leagues with the Cubs and hasn't been back to the majors since 2018 with the Detroit Tigers.

"I'm a big believer that everything happens for a reason," Machado said.

Machado, who is now in his second stint with the Iowa Cubs, is making another compelling case for a callup. And just like last time, the 30-year-old infielder is roadblocked by Hoerner and others as he puts together a strong start to the season.

"It feels like being back home," Machado said.

He's had a few homes over the years. Machado, who appeared in 172 big league games with the Tigers from 2015-18, was with the Miami Marlins in spring training. After the Marlins released him, Machado signed a minor league deal with the Cubs. It turned into a great move.

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Machado spent the entire season in Iowa and became a valuable, versatile hitter, that produced a slash line of .261/.371./.480 with 17 homers and 19 doubles in 102 games. As good as Machado was that season, it didn't result in a promotion to the majors. He certainly had a chance at the end of the season when Baez and Russell went down with injuries.

But the timing couldn't have been worse for Machado who was put on the injured list on Sept. 2 and missed the remainder of the season. He likely would have gotten the call to help Chicago in the stretch run. Instead, the Cubs pulled Hoerner, who had completed his season and gone home for the offseason, off his couch to make his big league debut.

Hoerner made the most of the opportunity and had the inside track of earning a spot with the big league club in 2020. Any shot Machado had of possibly getting to the big leagues with the Cubs had likely disappeared. It didn't bother Machado who was proud of his successful season.

"I was like, 'You know what, I did my job, it happened and I cannot do anything about it,'" Machado said. "I did my part. Injuries are just part of the game. So, I cannot control that."

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Machado spent the next two seasons playing in the Korean Baseball Organization for the Lotte Giants. It was an opportunity that offered him exposure, especially in 2020 when the Minor League Baseball season was canceled and the Major League Baseball season started late due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While MLB fans waited for games to get going, many tuned in to watch KBO games on ESPN. Machado made the most of the chance by hitting .280 with 52 doubles and 17 homers in two seasons with the Giants. He was so good that Machado said he became a celebrity in South Korea with fans flocking for photos with him on the street. Machado enjoyed the experience which helped soften the blow of the ending of the 2019 season.

"It didn't happen for some reason (in 2019)," Machado said. "Maybe that reason was for me to go to (South) Korea and play two years. I'm happy that happened that way."

Machado is now back in the United States, back with the Cubs on a minor league deal and back in Triple-A with Iowa. And he's still hitting. Through his first 14 games this season, Machado slashed .273/.365/.327 with five homers.

But Machado isn't worrying about 2019 and or getting back to the big leagues. He's just trying to have as much fun as possible. It's an approach that he adopted during that 2019 season in Iowa. It's why he even dyed his hair blue while playing in the KBO.

"When you're young, you just do things because people tell you to do it because maybe you don't know who you are yet and all of that," Machado said. "But then I got to that point in 2019 that I was like, 'You know what — I just want to have fun and enjoy people that I have around me.'"

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dixon Machado trying to get chance with Chicago Cubs he missed in 2019