Giants skipper Gabe Kapler not worried about Pablo Sandoval's weight

Fans across the country got their jokes in, but also questioned whether or not the Giants should be concerned about Sandoval's health. While he did gain weight, skipper Gabe Kapler isn't worried about it and expects Sandoval to be ready for Opening Day despite his heavier size.

"Pablo's role on this team is to do what he has done over the course of the last couple days, and what he has done for this city and this community in the past, and that is to bring positive energy, get big hits, drive the baseball, and those are still the things we believe he is capable of doing," Kapler said, according to ESPN (h/t Associated Press).

"Already in this short period of time, he's demonstrated it. I have a lot of empathy for Pablo and what it must be like to be dealing with this kind of scrutiny, and I wouldn't wish it on anybody."

Sandoval, listed as 5-foot-11 and 268 pounds, always has struggled with his weight. During his tenure with the Boston Red Sox, there were frequent concerns about his weight. However, he continues to move around the bases well and drive the ball deep when San Francisco needs it most.

Last season, Sandoval played in 108 games -- 36 starts at third, 15 at first and four as a designated hitter. With the universal DH role implemented for the 2020 campaign, Sandoval could be the Giants DH moving forward.

Sandoval slashed .268/.313/.507 in 2019 and currently is in Giants camp as a non-roster invitee.