Pablo Sandoval Injury: Updates on Red Sox Star's Neck and Return

Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval left Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with neck soreness. He returned to the lineup on Tuesday.

Continue for updates.

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Sandoval Returns to Lineup vs. Blue Jays

Tuesday, April 28

Alex Speier of The Boston Globe passed along Boston's lineup against the Blue Jays, highlighting Sandoval's return:

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported that Sandoval exited Monday night's game due to neck soreness. He had gone 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBI before exiting. 

After the 6-5 Red Sox win, Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal provided an update: 

The Red Sox signed Sandoval before the 2015 season with the hope that he would provide power in the middle of the order and solidify the third base spot in the race for an American League East title. He helped the San Francisco Giants win three championships and was the 2012 World Series MVP.

The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Gordon Edes and Kyle Brasseur (via ESPN.com) noted that Sandoval was seen as the answer to multiple problems before the season started:

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Sandoval helps fill a hole in the Red Sox's lineup for a third baseman and a left-handed bat...The Red Sox hope Pablo Sandoval will give them a significant upgrade at third base, a position at which they struggled mightily in 2013…Last season, Red Sox third basemen ranked 29th in baseball in OPS, with their .580 mark 121 percentage points below the league average of .701.

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The Red Sox have versatile infielders such as Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts. Neither youngster has near the experience that Sandoval does, although both are capable of carrying some of the load on offense. They also boast plenty of proven veterans as well, including David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez.

With World Series aspirations this season, reaching that goal would be more difficult if the three-time champion Sandoval can't stay healthy during the long season.