What It Means:

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported Monday night that the surgery is "significant," and the odds are against Sandoval playing this season, so Olney's report appears to jibe with that. The 29-year-old has received all sorts of criticism for his level of fitness, but his situation is much more complicated. The big question is what sort of future Sandoval has in Boston. He still has three guaranteed years (and $58 million) on his contract. The Red Sox will have the designated hitter spot open after David Ortiz retires, so that could be where Sandoval slots in if healthy in 2017. A change of scenery might be the best for all involved, but the Red Sox would have to pick up most of his remaining contract for anyone to take a chance on him.

Sandoval had a disastrous first season in Boston, slashing .245/.292/.366 with just a .288 wOBA in 126 games last year. His -2.0 Wins Above Replacement ranked dead last.