Report: Sandoval's contract with Red Sox not insured

The Boston Red Sox announced Monday that third baseman Pablo Sandoval would undergo potentially season-ending surgery on his ailing left shoulder.

However, the Red Sox won't be able to recoup any of the money owed on his five-year, $90-million contract because the deal's not insured, a source told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

If an MLB team insures a player's contract, it can recoup money on the deal if the player is injured long term.

One of the most well-known cases of a club taking out insurance on a slugger - and eventually benefiting - was the Baltimore Orioles' five-year, $65-million contract with Albert Belle, signed in December 1998.

Belle's career ended two seasons later because of a degenerative hip condition, but the Orioles recovered more than $27 million of the $39 million remaining on his contract because of their insurance policy.

If Sandoval is indeed lost for the entire season, Boston will pay him $17.6 million for three games, six at-bats, zero hits, and four strikeouts.

Since coming to the Red Sox, Sandoval has hit .242/.290/.361 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs. The 29-year-old also made $17.6 million last season.