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Red Sox: Five lowest points of Pablo Sandoval’s tenure in Boston

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Pablo Sandoval
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 12: Pablo Sandoval /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout at the end outfield the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 28: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout at the end outfield the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on April 28, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Ear Infection

We’ll start with the most recent low point of Sandoval’s tenure in Boston. The Red Sox placed Sandoval on the 10-day disabled list on June 20 with an inner ear infection.

Not to make light of any medical ailment, as I have no doubt that an inner ear infection can bring plenty of discomfort. It’s just not the type of issue that typically lands a player on the DL for nearly a month.

This was the second extended absence this season for Sandoval, who also missed 32 games with a knee injury. He would appear in only a dozen games after being activated at the end of May before it was back to the infirmary.

Sandoval hit .212 with a .622 OPS over 108 plate appearances this season. He also committed five errors for a dismal .914 fielding percentage and -6 defensive runs saved in only 29 games played at third base. The Panda somehow managed to produce a -0.9 WAR, matching the negative value of his massively disappointing 2015 season in only a quarter of the time.

He couldn’t hit, he couldn’t field his position. Sandoval brought nothing to the table, leaving the Red Sox with no incentive to put him back on the roster at the expense of another player who could actually prove useful.

It’s pretty clear that the DL stint was an excuse to keep Sandoval off the active roster until the team could figure out what to do with him. His rehab clock was set to expire this weekend, forcing the team to make a decision. Now that they have, we can finally put this nightmare behind us.

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