The Giants have activated third baseman Pablo Sandoval from the 10-day injured list, according to Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group. While the fan favorite will still undergo Tommy John surgery per doctors’ recommendation, activating Sandoval should offer him a final chance to end his Giants tenure (and his time under manager Bruce Bochy) by his own accord, likely receiving a final at-bat as a left-handed pinch-hitter.
While the move is essentially symbolic, it’s nonetheless surprising given that many had written off a potential swan song for the long-time Giants third baseman. Don’t expect Sandoval to contribute in a meaningful way, though Giants fans certainly won’t be opposed to giving him a proper send-off.
Sandoval ingratiated himself to the San Francisco faithful during the organization’s dynamic run of success from 2008-2014, a luxury that he didn’t share during his time in Boston, after a big-money contract backfired on the team. That culminated in his release in 2017, at which point he rejoined the club with which he signed as an amateur more than a decade ago. While there was no doubt that Sandoval was not the same in his second Giants tenure, he’s reversed his fortunes this year to regain the admiration of Giants fans. On a minimum salary for San Francisco, he’s posted a .823 OPS, his highest mark since 2012.
If the Kung Fu Panda does make his way into a September game at Oracle Park, it may be the last time he does so in his career. The 33-year-old is slated to reach free agency following the season, though the veteran may be resistant to a departure from San Francisco after his last attempt. Given that loyalty to the Giants and the immense pain that Sandoval has described, it would seem that retirement is not out of the question for Sandoval, though there has been no indication that he’s leaning that way.
He could potentially also pinch hit from the left side
Look out Fat boy is back!
…and you know he can never be whack.
I would love Pablo to come back as a coach in the future. Maybe a bench coach or third base coach.
Badco44 you should be ashamed of yourself. Show some respect or take a hike…..
I lost respect when his belt broke at the plate… respect? Really? Man shows up over weight and out of shape…man needs some self respect… so the hike is on you talking baseball
I think you are both shooting the messenger. It is obviously Pablo that needs to start hiking so he can lose some of that stubborn belly fat.
Do the Giants have a team HOF? If so, he’ll be honored that way down the road. The Sox stupidly gave him that deal but Instill find it hard to fathom how poorly he played. He never was ‘an athlete” but clearly he took the money and wobbled. He most definitely never ran in a Red Sox uniform unless it was to the team buffet after a game and he went without changing.
The signing cost Cherington his job but quite frankly those are the type of ones that should.