Here's the latest on Pablo at home in the Venezuelan Winter League. He got a late start after spending the start of the season in personal training in the US. But, no surprise, he's right on target with a .924 OPS

In this photo taken Thursday Nov. 19, 2009, San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval carefully selects items for lunch following a workout at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The 'Operation Panda' shape-up program is full steam ahead for San Francisco's free-swinging slugger, who used to fuel up on pizza and his McDonald's favorites of Big Macs, fries and milkshakes.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Janie Mccauley, AP Baseball Writer, wrote a great story about Sandoval's fall slimming regimen, "Operation Panda." Not only weight training, also diet training:

"I'm a Latin American dude. I eat rice and beans, and I eat a lot."

"This is one of those things you wake up, you want to work out, you want to do your thing and get ready for next season," Sandoval said. "You want to learn things for your life, for your career.

"I do this for the fans, for the team but especially for my career. I don't want to have only a five-year career. I want to have a longer career. That's what I'm thinking about right now. Now I feel great. I'm going to do it, do it, do it."

The other news is that the Giants' GM named Pablito as next year's clean up hitter. "We're operating under the presumption Pablo's the fourth hitter," Sabean said. "In a perfect world, you're hoping to find more of a sure thing as a third hitter or fifth hitter than somebody hitting the ball out of the ballpark."

He doesn't make any sense. Sandoval proved to be the best thing the Giants have had for the last few years. He'd be the best choice at the 2nd through 5th spot in the order. Wake me up when they get someone more "sure" to hit third.

From Baggs' gamer:

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval connects for a solo home run.

Sandoval, their 23-year-old ball of energy whose final swing allowed him to finish second in the National League with a .330 average while hitting 25 home runs and driving in 90 runs.

He flipped over the dugout rail while making a spectacular catch of a foul pop in the seventh inning, then he skipped around the bases with both arms raised after crushing a solo home run in the 10th.

Sandoval's 444-foot monster shot made the difference in a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

"I can't believe it, you know?" said Sandoval, who only broke his silver rosary on his head-over-heels catch. "Every time I went to my house from the ballpark I say, 'Thank God for giving me the chance to play baseball every day.' I'm excited to be in the big leagues and to do well."

Not including Barry Bonds, Sandoval became just the second Giant in seven seasons to hit 25 homers. Ray Durham hit 26 in 2006. Sandoval also led the team with 52 walks.

"It was a good thump, I know that," Bochy said of Sandoval's dugout catch. "Probably four or five on the Richter (scale). But he's so tough. He got back up and went back out there."

After the game, former Giant Kevin Mitchell stopped by the clubhouse and told Sandoval to keep working hard. Sandoval pledged to arrive in spring training in the best shape of his life.

"You better get ready for next year!" he yelled.

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval, left, scores on a single by Bengie Molina as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher John Hester catches the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Pablo's looking forward to a three-week course in "fitness and nutritional training.

"I do want to get better," Sandoval said. "I want to get in good shape and get ready for next season. I don't want to get hurt. I don't want to play 120 games. I want to play 162 games."

But first, some R&R. At season's end, he'll go to "Venezuela for some family time, then go to Florida to take his little girl to Disney World."

Our Kung Fu Panda is in a slump, but it ain't over 'til it's over.

More Pandas sighted:


4 Pandas

Here's an injury up date from Chris Haft / MLB.com

08/26/09 1:09 AM ET

"I want to be in there but it's their decision," Sandoval said. ..."I only want to miss two games, not the rest of the season."

Sandoval, who fouled a ball off his calf last week in Cincinnati, aggravated the injury as he ran out a fly ball Monday at Colorado. But he didn't sound overly concerned as he spoke before Tuesday's series opener. Asked if he could pinch-hit, Sandoval grinned and replied, "Oh, sure." He did so in the seventh inning, earning an intentional walk and being lifted for a pinch-runner.

From a couple of days ago:

We're hoping for good news about Pablo's calf.

Here's what Baggs said in the Merc:

Pablo Sandoval's 11-game trip ended a bit early. He was replaced in the middle of the third inning Monday night because of a tight right calf.

Sandoval hit .350 on the trip, but his defense slipped noticeably. He had made just seven errors as a third baseman before committing four in a seven-game span, including a costly throw to second base in New York. Freddy Sanchez aggravated his left shoulder as he lunged to catch it.

Sandoval's defensive play has been one of the Giants' most pleasant surprises, but bench coach Ron Wotus expected a stretch like this.

"He's played extremely well there and it can be difficult to keep that up," Wotus said. "The dog days of August leave you a little fatigued. That's when your concentration and focus can waver."

Sandoval's season is longer than most. He played almost every day in spring training while getting a crash course at third base. He played in the Venezuelan winter league, too.

Sandoval's conditioning is a factor, especially in humid cities like New York and Cincinnati. It's a major reason the Giants won't consider putting him behind the plate next season to serve as a stopgap until top prospect Buster Posey is ready.

Wotus has dialed back Sandoval's ground balls to preserve him. But the Giants want Sandoval to drop 20 pounds and so he does a half-hour of cardio exercise after most games. At least the Giants are heading back to the cool, maritime breezes at AT&T Park.

Baggs told us last night:

Pablo Sandoval doesn't know if he can play tomorrow. He was taken out in the third inning with a strained right calf. He said he hurt it when a pitch hit him in Cincinnati, but he wasn't hit by a pitch in that series. I can't remember, but maybe he fouled a ball of his leg. Anyway, he'll be reevaluated and there should be a clearer picture tomorrow.

@keithlaw Is it bad that when I read "Pablo Sandoval injures calf" I pictured him actually eating a small cow?

Here’s a video interview with the Giants’ Panda after losing 14-11 in Colorado. Understandably low-key.