Report: Red Sox won’t play Pablo Sandoval unless he loses weight

The Boston Red Sox have never expressed any concerns publicly about Pablo Sandoval being extremely out of shape, but it sounds the third baseman’s weight has clearly become a major issue.

Sandoval was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with what has only been called a shoulder strain. Hardly anyone is buying that the injury is legitimate, and Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the team placed Sandoval on the DL without even bothering to send him for an MRI.

Sandoval was benched to start the season and third baseman Travis Shaw has played well in his place. Sandoval has just six plate appearances in Boston’s first eight games, and sources told Passan that the 29-year-old has no interest in staying with the Red Sox if he is not going to be an everyday player. The Red Sox are reportedly not going to give Sandoval consistent playing time unless he loses some weight.

Can you say ugly? Sandoval has four years and $75 million remaining on his contract. The San Diego Padres were said to be interested in him at one point, but Passan says those talks have “cooled.” There’s no reason to think Sandoval would have any trade value at the moment given his salary, weight and current situation. If the Red Sox want him gone, they will have to eat a ton of money.

The most notable thing Sandoval has done this season is have an incredibly embarrassing wardrobe malfunction during a plate appearance. Unless he spends a good chunk of time on the DL and somehow gets himself into better shape, it is going to be a long season for the 2012 World Series MVP.