The San Francisco Giants released infielder Pablo Sandoval from his minor league contract Thursday, hours before the season opener against the San Diego Padres. Sandoval -- a fan favorite nicknamed Kung Fu Panda who was the 2012 World Series MVP -- was trying to get back to the big leagues for the first time since 2021, when he batted .178 with a .302 on-base percentage, four homers and 11 RBIs in 69 games with the Atlanta Braves.