Red Sox designate Sandoval for assignment

The Boston Red Sox seem ready to move on from Pablo Sandoval for good, announcing Friday that the club has designated the third baseman for assignment.

Sandoval is just two-and-a-half seasons into the five-year, $90-million contract he signed with Boston in 2015. He's earning $17 million this season, $18 million in 2018 and 2019, and another $17 million in 2020 - all of which the Red Sox are still on the hook for. He does have a $5-million buyout in his contract for 2020, however.

Related: Sandoval owed 2nd-largest amount of 'dead money' ever after DFA

In what might be a related move, the Red Sox reportedly promoted their top prospect, third baseman Rafael Devers, to Triple-A Pawtucket, a source told CSNNE's Evan Drellich.

After seven years with the San Francisco Giants, the 30-year-old Sandoval has appeared in just 161 games over three seasons with the Red Sox, where he's recorded a .237/.286/.360 slash line and hit 27 home runs.

Related: 3 potential landing spots for Pablo Sandoval

Sandoval was in the middle of a rehab assignment after being diagnosed with an ear infection in June.

A two-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, he's hitting .285/.337/.449 with 120 home runs in his 10-year career.