Report: Sandoval to reunite with Giants on minor-league deal

The Panda appears to be on his way back to the Bay Area.

Four hours after Pablo Sandoval was officially released from his contract with the Boston Red Sox, the 30-year-old third baseman will apparently sign a minor-league deal with his former club, the San Francisco Giants, reports MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez.

Sandoval will report to Triple-A Sacramento, according to Sanchez.

An official deal between the Giants and Sandoval hasn't occurred just yet because Sandoval hasn't gone through release waivers, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News, although the two sides are allowed to negotiate and it's unlikely anyone claims Sandoval due to the money attached to his current contract.

The Venezuelan will likely earn the league minimum after still earning the $48.66 million remaining on a five-year contract he signed with the Red Sox in November 2014.

During his three seasons in Boston, Sandoval hit just .237/.286/.360 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs.

Sandoval was a two-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion, and 2012 World Series MVP during his seven seasons with the Giants where he slashed .294/.346/.465 with 106 home runs and 462 RBIs from 2008-14.