Red Sox News: Pablo Sandoval Benched For Using Phone During Wednesday's Game

Pablo Sandoval's first year with the Boston Red Sox has been tumultuous at best, culminating on Thursday with him being benched for using his cell phone during Wednesday night's game.

Here's Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald with the report:

Sandoval has been benched for tonight's series finale here against the Atlanta Braves after admitting that he violated the Sox' social media policy by using his phone during Wednesday night's game to "like" two photos of a woman on Instagram.

"I know I (bleeped) up," the third baseman said. "I make a mistake yesterday. I'll learn from that. I'm a human being. I make mistakes. I let my teammates down. Ain't going to happen no more."

Sandoval, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Sox in November, said he apologized to manager John Farrell, general manager Ben Cherington and his teammates for breaking a rule that he knew existed. Sandoval has not been told if he will be fined.

Farrell said he was "disappointed" in Sandoval and added that the third baseman would not be used off the bench during tonight's game. 

Sandoval added that the incident occurred during a bathroom break in the seventh inning.

"I just came in here to go to the bathroom. I didn't have nothing to do, so I just grabbed my phone," Sandoval said. "I didn't send a message. I hit a 'like.' I pushed the button at the wrong time, so I'll learn from that."

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