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BOSTON -- Just when you thought the Pablo Sandoval saga couldn't get any stranger, it took another twist Friday, with news that Sandoval has an appointment next week with noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Sandoval, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday before any medical testing, underwent an MRI exam Thursday that revealed "a great deal going on in his left shoulder," according to Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski, citing medical privacy laws, declined to discuss specific details but said the MRI results were sent to Andrews for a second opinion, and Sandoval will meet with Andrews on Monday. "Then we will have a disclosure at that point on what actually is involved with his shoulder," Dombrowski said. "Until we get the second opinion, we're going to wait to make any kind of statements on that because we want to make sure whatever is diagnosed is the proper one." Sandoval characterized the MRI results as "pretty bad" and said his shoulder remains "sore." He said he wants to see Andrews in hopes of avoiding surgery. "I don't know if I'm going to have surgery. I'm just going to see what happened," Sandoval said after the Red Sox's 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays. "What's the opinion? How can I get back as soon as possible? I just want to know what's going on in there." Dombrowski, when asked about the possibility of surgery for Sandoval, said, "I'm not going to speculate on anything, but I won't rule anything out, either." For now, Dombrowski said, the Red Sox will continue to term the injury a "strain."  The Red Sox were unaware of Sandoval's shoulder problem until he reported to Fenway Park on Wednesday. Even Sandoval was unable to pinpoint when or how the injury occurred, except to say he was unable to lift his left arm when he woke Wednesday. On Friday, Sandoval refuted a report that he has asked the Red Sox to trade him if he's not going to play every day. "I was talking the other day, and I told them, 'I'm happy with all the decisions you guys made,'" he said. "The team is going to be better that way. I'm going to be happy. I'm going to continue to work hard, continue to do my job." Said Dombrowski, "I know he wants to play every day, but he also understands the situation." Sandoval, who signed a five-year, $95 million deal with Boston in November 2014, reported to spring training without having lost much weight since last season. On Thursday, a former personal trainer said Sandoval needs "a babysitter" to watch over him and keep him from overeating, a temptation for Sandoval that the trainer likened to alcoholism. The Red Sox made Sandoval compete for his job in the spring, and after missing a week in mid-March because of a back injury suffered while diving for a ground ball, Sandoval was beaten by Travis Shaw. Rick Thurman, Sandoval's agent, advocated for his client at the end of spring training by telling MLB Network, "If you want to win, why leave the Ferrari in the garage?" Although that comment probably reflected Sandoval's feelings, he disavowed them publicly. He said the sentiment "didn't come from me" and claimed he understood why the Sox opted for Shaw. Sandoval was 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in his limited bench role, and in his lone start Saturday in Toronto, his belt buckle broke during a swing. Manager John Farrell didn't use Sandoval in a pinch-hitting role Monday, even though righty-swinging Chris Young was clearly overmatched by hard-throwing Baltimore Orioles right-hander Mychal Givens. Sandoval wasn't going to be in the lineup Wednesday, despite his solid career numbers (14-for-39, two homers) against Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez.
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