Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Pablo Sandoval thought it would take him “at least nine months” to return to a lineup. He also didn’t think that lineup would ever be the Giants’ again.
And yet there he was, getting ready for a matchup with the Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium, one that will include the Panda batting cleanup at DH less than six months after Tommy John surgery. In an offseason and early camp that included a dream wedding, everything has gone right for Sandoval.
The Giants were interested in a reunion, as they were with his buddy Hunter Pence. And his right arm feels “1,000 percent comfortable,” the 33-year-old proclaimed before his much-anticipated spring debut Friday night.
He said there have been zero setbacks — he sounded surprised, saying he’s never even felt sore after playing catch. He has stretched back his tosses to 105 feet, though he still isn’t throwing to bases, the process of fielding grounders and then throwing a significant step. He wasn’t sure when he would get the next green light, but he was thrilled about his first.
“Just enjoying the moment,” said Sandoval, asked what he would be feeling when he stepped up to bat. “It’s another opportunity to step to home plate. I thought that last year was going to be my final at-bat [with San Francisco]. Being back here is exciting for me.”
Sandoval will be able to bat both lefty and righty, and he expected to get a pair of at-bats though wasn’t sure. He claimed he hadn’t been pestering Gabe Kapler about getting his bat into the lineup, though: “I want to play. Don’t get me wrong, I want to play.”
The Giants will have a choice to make with their 26th roster spot — though it doesn’t sound as if Sandoval will be an option.
“I don’t think it’s feasible to carry a player that can’t play defense on our Opening Day roster,” Kapler said, as perhaps Billy Hamilton’s speed or a put-me-anywhere glove like Austin Slater’s wins out.
