Pablo Sandoval Hurt Himself Diving, Clearly Because He's Fat

Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval injured himself diving for a ball during Tuesday’s game against Miami. He’s not expected to end up on the disabled list.

"He’s going to be down for a couple of days,” manager John Farrell said. “Just trying to get back. He’s going to be available on a day-to-day status right now."

No big deal, right?

Wrong.

You see, because Sandoval is meatier in the midsection than most infielders, he’s being held to a much higher standard. A standard that includes not falling victim to a common baseball mishap that’s happened to countless more physically fit players.

To be fair, Sandoval’s February admission that he didn’t work on fielding in the offseason gives at least a tiny bit of credence to the notion that his weight is somehow to blame for what happened.

On the other hand …

If sustaining an injury while diving for a ball in the field is a sign of being out of shape, has there ever technically been an in-shape baseball player. It happens to players of all fitness levels.

As we’ve pointed out before, Sandoval was fat last year when he put up horrible numbers after signing a large contract. He was also fat in 2012 and 2014 when he helped the San Francisco Giants win World Series with torrid postseason hitting.

It’s especially ironic that Sandoval is getting bashed for injuring himself hustling in a meaningless game. He’s out there in the hot Florida sun trying to burn a few extra calories and, boom, this happens.

Also unfair is the way Sandoval, who plays arguably the least aerobic major sport, is treated in comparison to wide athletes. Jared Lorezen and LaQuan McGowan were both folk heroes while in college. Every extra pound Oliver Miller and Robert Traylor carried was appreciated.

The guy can’t win.