Sandoval rejoins Red Sox for rehab 22 pounds lighter

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval has started doing defensive drills as part of his rehab program following season-ending left shoulder surgery in May.

Sandoval - who lost 22 pounds during his recovery, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI - joined his teammates for Wednesday night's game at Tampa Bay. He took pregame grounders at third, and made throws to first and second base.

"I feel a lot better," said Sandoval, who has been working out six days a week at the Red Sox spring training complex in Fort Myers. "It's not back to normal, but feeling a lot better. I'm happy to be back here with my teammates. Happy to start doing work."

Sandoval has not been cleared to start hitting, but is expected to be ready for spring training next year.

The 30-year-old Sandoval helped the San Francisco Giants to World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014, but the third baseman has struggled since joining the Red Sox.

In his first year with Boston, he posted career lows with a .245 batting average, 10 homers and 47 RBIs. Then he reported to spring training earlier this year visibly overweight and lost his starting job to Travis Shaw.

Shortly thereafter, Sandoval's rocky tenure in Boston took a turn for the worst after he was diagnosed with a torn labrum and underwent season-ending surgery. Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Red Sox, said the team was aware of issues with Sandoval's labrum when the club signed him to a five-year, $95-million contract.

On Wednesday, Sandoval said he was trying to leave his troubles in the past.

"You learn a lot from the mistakes you make," he told WEEI.