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Sandoval considering playing in WBC

Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pablo Sandoval doesn't even have a starting job with the Boston Red Sox, but he might miss a chunk of spring training to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Prior to the Boston Baseball Writers' Dinner on Thursday night, manager John Farrell listed off which of his players will play in the tournament. The short list included Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez, and potentially Sandoval, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford.

Sandoval is coming off shoulder surgery in 2016, and is still expected to compete for a starting job with the World Series-contending Red Sox.

"I think that'll probably garner more discussion because those three weeks, the potential of those three weeks in a situation where you're competing for a job is important," Farrell said. "We don't want to stand in a player's way if there's not a pending health situation. Granted he went through a shoulder surgery last May. Still, that would be in discussion if that were to come up."

Last season, Sandoval only appeared in three games before shutting it down for the remainder of the year. He owns a career slash line of .287/.339/.451 and is a two-time All-Star.

Another issue with Sandoval has been his weight. Prior to the 2016 season, he entered spring training well overweight. Farrell said that while he appreciates how hard Sandoval has worked this offseason to shed the fat, he's still going to have to compete for playing time.

That being said, anything less than the All-Star the Red Sox signed before the 2015 campaign won't be tolerated.

"Compliments to Pablo, he's done a great job with the work he's put in, the commitment he's made," Farrell said. "He's reshaped himself, that's apparent. He knows there is work to be done to regain an everyday job at third base. So, we'll see how that unfolds.

"We're not looking for him to be someone he's not been in the past," he added. "Return to that level of performance."

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