Elbow surgery ends season for Sandoval
San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval will undergo seasonending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, and he became emotional at the thought of not playing again for retiring manager Bruce Bochy. Sandoval will undergo surgery the first week of September in Los Angeles by Neal ElAttrache, who evaluated the 2012 World Series MVP on Wednesday and determined he needed the procedure on his ulnar collateral ligament.
The 33-year-old Sandoval resurrected his career during a second stint with the Giants, used in various roles by Bochy. Sandoval, on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 11 with inflammation in the elbow, was batting .269 with 14 homers and 41 RBI in 107 games.
Braves sign Cervelli: The first-place Atlanta Braves have signed catcher Francisco Cervelli and immediately plugged him into the starting lineup against the New York Mets.
Cervelli, who has a history of concussions, was recently granted his release by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He gives the NL East leaders a veteran replacement for injured catcher Brian McCann, who is sidelined with a sprained left knee.
“King Felix” returns: Felix Hernandez was activated off the injured list and was back on the mound for the Seattle Mariners. Hernandez hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 11 because of a strained right shoulder. He started Saturday night at home against Toronto.
The 33-year-old former ace is 1-4 with a 6.52 ERA in eight starts for Seattle this season. The six-time all-star and 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner is 169132 in 15 seasons with Seattle.
Mets get McNeil back: National League batting leader Jeff McNeil was reinstated from the injured list, a big boost for the Mets. McNeil missed 10 days with a strained left hamstring.