Pablo Sandoval, widely reported to be finished for the season after shoulder surgery in early May, could return to the Red Sox for the postseason.
Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Saturday that the third baseman is ahead of schedule in his rehab.
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"Based on the surgery that was performed, based on the rehab that was required, he's doing a very good job," Farrell said, via MLB.com. "He's been in games already in the instructional league. He's taking care of his end of the work that's needed.
"Could he return this year? I'm not ruling it out."
Even more encouraging for the Sox, the normally pudgy Sandoval appears to have lost "significant weight," according to the Boston Globe.
#RedSox Pablo Sandoval getting game action in #InstructionalLeague Looks to shed the lbs. Base hit single then pulled for pinch runner pic.twitter.com/IMWw187F6y
— Bob Sacamento (@TTurbo420) September 23, 2016
Sandoval has already played DH in a couple of Florida Instructional League games, and will probably log some time at third base.
Travis Shaw and Aaron Hill have split time at third this season in Sandoval's absence.
Even if Sandoval is ready to return to action, the Red Sox may not necessarily add him to the postseason roster. But as the Globe points out, the team could sure use his postseason experience and history of production. He has a slash line of .344/.389/.545 in 39 postseason games, with six home runs.
"At the time of the surgery, it was all looking at the start of next spring training," Farrell told MLB.com. "We're not getting too far ahead of ourselves here, but at the same time, we compliment him for the work he's put in, the way he's responded to the rehab, the way he's worked himself into better condition. We're staying open-minded."