With injuries mounting for the San Francisco Giants, Pablo Sandoval has started taking ground balls at second base, and the increasingly versatile veteran could see some game action there in the future, according to infield coach Ron Wotus.
"You never know. You could see a scenario," Wotus told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He looks good. He has quick feet and good hands. So far, so good."
Throughout his 11-year career in the big leagues, Sandoval - a natural third baseman - has appeared just once at second base, filling in for two-thirds of an inning during a game last April when he was still with the Boston Red Sox. Still, with Joe Panik likely out at least a couple more weeks due to a thumb sprain and his replacement, Alen Hanson, also nursing an injury, San Francisco could turn to Sandoval in the interim. For the past week, the Giants have used Kelby Tomlinson and Miguel Gomez at second, but both have struggled mightily at the plate.
Supplanted at third base by Evan Longoria, Sandoval has started just five games at his usual position this season while making another five starts at first. He also made his first career pitching appearance on April 28, tossing a scoreless inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Still, despite being relegated to a utility role, Sandoval has enjoyed a modest bounce-back season in 2018, hitting .266/.324/.422 (107 wRC+) with two home runs and four doubles in 71 plate appearances.
