Pablo Sandoval added to Braves active roster just in time

Perhaps with an eye on him making a postseason contribution, Pablo Sandoval will be in the Braves lineup on Sunday.

After he was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants earlier this month, the Atlanta Braves signed Pablo Sandoval and sent him to their alternate training site. According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, Sandoval is on the Braves’ active roster for the first time on Sunday and he’s also in the lineup at third base.

Sandoval had a .220/.278/.268 slash-line with one home run and six RBI in 33 games for the Giants this year before they let him go. “Kung Fu Panda” is past his peak at 34 years old, but he did have 37 extra base hits and an .820 OPS with San Francisco last year. Over 2018 and 2019 with the Giants (548 plate appearances), he had a .259/.311/.466 slash line (.777 OPS) with 23 home runs and 81 RBI. So he seems to have a little something left in his bat.

Sandoval can play both corner infield spots, but with Freddie Freeman entrenched at first base the Braves likely want him for depth at third. Austin Riley has been slowed by a quad injury lately, leaving Adeiny Hechavarria as the primary option. With Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson also at their alternate site, the Braves have chosen Sandoval.

Braves probably want Sandoval for the postseason

Sandoval was part of all three of San Francisco’s “even  year” championship teams in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He was named World Series MVP in 2012, when he went 8-for-16 with three home runs in a sweep of the Detroit Tigers. On the whole in the postseason (167 plate appearances) he has a career slash-line of .344/.389/.545 with six homers and 20 RBI.

The Braves have won three straight NL East titles, losing in a Division Series each of the last two years. Their last NLCS appearance as a franchise was in 2001, so maybe Sandoval’s experienced presence can change the equation this year.