Breaking News: Braves Star receives spring training invite from Giants

Pablo Sandoval, a beloved figure among San Francisco Giants fans, has received an invitation to their spring training as a non-roster player, as reported by NBC Sports Bay Area. However, it’s seen as unlikely that he’ll secure a spot on the major league team.

The report clarifies that this situation differs from Sergio Romo’s last year, where Romo was signed primarily to retire with the Giants.

Sandoval, aged 37, last played in the majors in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves, where he struggled with a batting average of .178 and hit four home runs across 69 games.

Known affectionately as “Kung Fu Panda,” Sandoval has been active in various Latin American leagues, with his most recent appearance in a professional game being in Dubai towards the end of 2023. In 2022, he participated in 91 games in the Mexican League.

Beginning his career with the Giants at the age of 17 in 2004, Sandoval made his debut with the team four years later and contributed to three of the Giants’ World Series wins.

His standout performance in the 2012 Series, where he was named MVP, included hitting three home runs in Game 1. Following the 2014 season, Sandoval moved to the Boston Red Sox in free agency.

Throughout his career, Sandoval has maintained a batting average of .278 with 159 home runs and 639 RBIs across 1,380 games, earning him recognition as a two-time All-Star.