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MLB Rumors: Pablo Sandoval to miss remainder of 2016 MLB season

By John Buhler

Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval will have surgery on his injured left shoulder and will miss the remainder of the 2016 MLB season.

According to ESPN’s Marly Rivera, Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, missing the final 137 games for Boston in 2016.

Boston may hold a slight one-game lead in the American League East through their first 25 games (15-10), but to this point the signing of the hefty switch-hitting third baseman back in 2015 MLB free agency has been disastrous.

Sandoval was once a three-time World Series Champion (2010, 2012, 2014) and a two-time All-Star (2011-12) for the National League West’s San Francisco Giants. Since signing a five-year deal worth $95 million with the Red Sox before the start of the 2015 MLB season, Sandoval has plummeted offensively in the American League.

In 2015, Sandoval hit .245/.292/.366 after putting together an average season of .294/.346/.465 in his seven years with the Giants (2008-15). Sandoval had appeared in three games in 2016, going 0-6 at the plate in seven plate appearances, striking out for times before his shoulder started acting up.

Not since former Atlanta Braves centerfielder Andruw Jones signed a massive deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers has a player fallen off the earth this quickly. Sandoval had been able to play at a heavier weight in the heart of the Giants’ batting order his first seven years in baseball.

Boston brought him in to provide great defense at third and form a strong middle of the order with David Ortiz in 2015. Now Sandoval will miss the rest of an otherwise disappointing 2016 for the Kung Fu Panda. Perhaps Boston will be able to find someone to replace Sandoval at third to stay relevant in the strong American League East going forward?

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