SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–Every spring they’ve shared together, Bruce Bochy and Pablo Sandoval have the same conversation.
Sandoval arrives with an assortment of gloves and mitts and tells Bochy he’s ready to play all over the diamond. Bochy tells Sandoval he wouldn’t dare put him in the outfield, but he would like to have him get behind the plate and catch a few bullpens.
This year’s discussion offered a twist. Sandoval again offered to play everywhere, but after a successful debut on the mound in 2018, he told Bochy he’s available to pitch.
“You get in a dire situation where you’re going to need a position player, he’s perfect,” Bochy said.