As pointed out by
MassLive.com's
Christopher Smith,
Pablo Sandoval's 20-day rehab assignment runs out this coming Sunday, July 16th. While the Red Sox
could tinker with the rules, realistically, they have to "fish or cut bait" with
The Panda by then. All the signals suggest it's bait-cutting time. Both
Deven Marrero and
Tzu-Wei Lin have been adequate placeholders while Boston tries to solidify the 3B position on a 'semi-permanent' basis—like a deadline trade for
Martin Prado or
Mike Moustakas. If the Red Sox
do cut Sandoval loose, they will still have to pay him a panda's ransom
through 2019.