Pablo Sandoval is dealing with lower back stiffness at this juncture in spring training, which may open the door for Travis Shaw. Will Sandoval's injury sway Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell into naming Shaw the starter on Opening Day?
Farrell wouldn't go that far, and he also said that Sandoval is not facing the disabled list at this point, but Shaw was named the starter for today's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Farrell said Sandoval began experiencing the stiffness after diving for a groundball on Tuesday and has been getting treatment the past two days.
He'll be unavailable on a day-to-day status, Farrell said.
Shaw has arguably been one of the team's top performers this spring while Sandoval hasn't completely shaken off the cobwebs from last season. Shaw is hitting .450/.488/.700 with nine runs scored, two home runs and nine RBI in 14 games (40 at-bats) while Panda is batting .265/.306/.559 with three runs scored, two home runs and six RBI in 14 games (34-bats). Sandoval has also made four errors in 71 innings at third while Shaw has been perfect in 59 innings (he's also been playing first base).
"Fans and media members have been clamoring for the Sox to make room for Shaw and say goodbye to the Panda," writes Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. "Sandoval's back stiffness could be just the ticket."
Shaw made an unforgettable first impression with the Red Sox last year. In his first 65 career MLB games the 25-year-old hit .270/.327/.487 with 31 runs scored, 13 home runs and 36 RBI (226 at-bats) and logged most of his games at first base (55). However, he recorded 54-2/3 innings at third, didn't make an error and had 14 assists.
Meanwhile, Sandoval had the worst season of his eight-year MLB career. He hit just .245 with a .658 OPS (both of which were career-lows) and scored only 43 runs, hit 10 homers and added 47 RBI in 126 games. Those were also all career-lows during seasons in which he's played at least 108 games, as was his -0.9 WAR.
That narrative hasn't exactly continued in spring training, but it also hasn't exactly improved enough for the Red Sox coaching staff to be sold in their decision to name the starting third baseman.
And now his back injury can make the decision for Farrell all the easier.
