With Opening Day just 48 hours away, here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye out for today…
1. Sandoval sendoff in San Francisco?
Two-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion Pablo Sandoval returned to the Giants on a minor league deal earlier this spring and has spent the month of March back in a Giants uniform. Not only is Sandoval’s spring training coming to an end, however — his time with his original organization might be drawing to a close as well. As Steve Kroner of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, the team sent an email to fans this weekend to come to Oracle Park for the Giants’ spring finale against the A’s “for what could be [Sandoval’s] final game in a Giants uniform.”
The Giants took a similar approach with Sergio Romo last spring, bringing their longtime star reliever to camp and allowed him to receive a hero’s goodbye in front of hometown fans in last year’s version of this same spring finale at Oracle Park (video link). It’s not yet clear that’ll be the case with Sandoval, but he’s hitting just .200/.286/.200 this spring and hasn’t been in the majors since 2021.
“Whatever happens Tuesday, it’s a blessed time,” Sandoval tells Kroner. “If it’s a farewell, it’s been an unbelievable journey that I’ve been on, all those 11 years that I’ve played for (the Giants). I’ve been blessed to wear this uniform.”
2. More injuries in the Cardinals’ outfield?
The Cardinals will open the season with both Lars Nootbaar (fractured ribs) and Tommy Edman (recovery from wrist surgery) on the injured list. That’s two-thirds of the team’s projected outfield already on the shelf, and following a frightening collision yesterday involving Dylan Carlson and Jordan Walker, it seems Carlson could join them. With both outfielders tracking a Nico Hoerner fly-ball to the warning track in right center field, Walker laid out to try to make the grab and collided with Carlson’s right leg, sending him tumbling and resulting in an awkward landing on his left arm (video link). Walker popped up to recover the ball and get it into the infield, but Carlson remained down on the track and departed the game with a trainer.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Carlson was undergoing testing as of late last night. Manager Oli Marmol told Goold and others that Carlson is feeling “banged up” after the spill. “Combination of that left shoulder when it hit the ground, his hip, his ankle,” said Marmol. “So I don’t have a whole lot just yet other than he doesn’t feel real good.”
Carlson has had a big spring, batting .271/.327/.521 with three homers and three doubles in 52 plate appearances. He’d been slated to serve as the starting center fielder with Edman on the injured list. Alternative options for the Cards include defensive-minded Michael Siani and prospect Victor Scott II.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
It’s time for our last chat of the 2023-24 offseason! I’ll be hosting a 1pm CT chat with readers to discuss the offseason, expectations for the 2024 season and whatever other topics are on your mind. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will both take you to the live chat at 1:00 and allow you to read a transcript after the chat is completed.
Goodbye Panda!
Walker defensively is a bull in a china shop.
Except that a bull tends to run directly at its target. Walker does figure 8s and loops.
The Legend of Pablo Sandoval. One of the few men Justin Verlander calls daddy and one of the even fewer men to make a belt completely explode. Hope he goes deep tonight
Verlander also has a peculiar mouth and chin.
I hear the Diablos Rojos are building an ex-MLB team. Might as well join them.
¡Vaya con dios, Panda!
All the best to Sandoval. Good WS memories.
…and that belt, too, of course.
Oof, that collision sounds nasty. Speedy recovery to Carlson. Sounds like Walker is ok thankfully. I wonder if VS2 gets a shot at CF for now.
Carlson is a conservative. He is a bad person
What a clown comment. Thanks for the laugh, groomer.
Ah yes, muting is wonderful.
A mute hotdog is still a hotdog.
I couldn’t tell if Carlson called him off but that ball was the CF’s responsibility. Walker should have been backing him up, not diving at his legs. You could tell Carlson was furious with Walker and even turned his back on him when he returned to his feet.
Yeah the kid is still young and green. It was a tad much especially in a spring game.
Yep, Carlson even ignored Walker’s offer of a hand to help him up. He was definitely pissed.
Now there are two holes in the OF defense– Walker and whoever he injures in his “learning adventures”.
Panda got broads in Atlanta.
Pablo will end up back in the Giants organization in one capacity or another.
last I read, Panda mentioned of taking the minor league assignments to Sac
correct dub
Carlson started showing the ability to hit the ball hard left handed this spring. The guy can’t catch a break.
Cardinals already a mess; start the “fire the GM!” chants now…
And while you’re at it fire the inexplicably extended Oli Marmol.
SF trying to clear the panda hats they had in storage – going to be on clearance for his final outing.