Giants release Sandoval from his minor league deal
The San Francisco Giants released infielder Pablo Sandoval from his minor league contract on Thursday, hours before season opener against the San Diego Padres.
That ended Sandoval's attempt at a third stint with the club. He batted .250 in 28 spring at-bats with two RBIs.
The 37-year-old Sandoval — a fan favorite nicknamed Kung Fu Panda who was the 2012 World Series MVP — was trying to get back to the big leagues for the first time since 2021, when he batted .178 with a .302 onbase percentage, four homers and 11 RBIs in 69 games with the Atlanta Braves.
Sandoval is a two-time All-Star who played for the Giants' 2010, 2012 and 2014 championship teams.
Sandoval played for the Giants from 2008-14 before signing a $95 million, five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox, who released him in the summer of 2017. Sandoval then rejoined the Giants for a second stint from 2017-20. He was with the Braves from 2020-21.
RAYS' FRANCO PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AS SEXUAL ABUSE PROBE CONTINUES >> Tampa Bay AllStar shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave through June 1 under an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players' association while the investigation continues into an alleged relationship with a minor.
Administrative leave is not disciplinary under the sport's joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy, and a player continues to be paid. Franco, who has a $2 million salary this year, has remained in his native Dominican Republic while authorities there investigate and he did not report to spring training.
Golf
SCHEFFLER STARTS WITH ANOTHER ROUND UNDER PAR >> Scottie Scheffler had his 28th consecutive round under par to start the year, a 5-under 65 that left him one shot behind Taylor Moore and Wilson Furr in the Houston Open.
Scheffler also extended his streak to 49 holes without a bogey dating to the third round of The Players Championship two weeks ago, where he became the first back-to-back winner in the 50 years of the PGA Tour's flagship event.
The streak that matters is his bid for a third straight PGA Tour victory, a feat last accomplished seven years ago by Dustin Johnson.
Women's basketball
CLARK INVITED TO PLAY WITH US NATIONAL TEAM >>
Caitlin Clark has been invited to participate in the USA Basketball national team training camp during the Final Four in Cleveland, contingent on Iowa's season being over.
The NCAA's Division I all-time scoring leader has earned three gold medals with USA Basketball junior teams, most recently as a member of the 2021 under-19 squad.