San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval’s Latest Injury Scare Highlights Continued Losing Battle With Weight


Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t going to be an issue until he made it one, and Pablo Sandoval‘s latest injury scare may have done just that for his weight.

As San Francisco Giants fans already know, this is just the latest addition is what is a now quickly-growing resume of injuries in the third baseman’s history since his arrival to the big leagues. And while some of them were totally unrelated to his generous physique (like the broken hand he suffered in 2012, for example), the more recent entries are starting to show a common theme.

In short, his lower half is starting to really feel the strain of having to carry the upper half.

Still don’t think it’s issue even after a strained hamstring from last summer, and more troubles with a strained tendon in his left foot that sent him to the DL earlier in 2013? Well, how about Panda now being afflicted with a bruised right heel after running out a grounder on Wednesday?

While the incident is mostly just a scare (he is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday), it does further highlight the concern that the team has had for Sandoval ever since he arrived. This is a 26-year-old (almost 27) who has been on the DL four times over the last three seasons, and if he does not listen to the Giants’ concerns and really start dealing with his weight issue, it’d be reasonable to expect that he won’t be able to buck that trend.

There’s a pretty good argument to be made that Panda’s losing battle with his weight puts more strain on the rest of his body to keep up with his level of play; and though it’s no different from the wear and tear that all major leaguers go through, the process is being accelerated.

And with already one supposed corner outfielder of the future (and present) struggling in Brandon Belt, the last thing that the Giants need is for the other to develop a reputation for not being able to stay on the field.


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