Red Sox notebook: Pablo “Panda” Sandoval continues to sit on bench

HOUSTON — Pablo Sandoval has been in the Red Sox starting lineup just twice in the past nine games, and he was on the bench again to start last night. But manager John Farrell said it’s premature to rule out Sandoval’s significance.

“I have every plan to have him at third base (tonight) in Kansas City,” Farrell said. “We’ve got to keep him involved, and we’ve got to keep trying to build some momentum and confidence in him. He’s an important guy for us, so by no means has he been forgotten about. And yet, there’s work ongoing to continue to build that kind of momentum.”

Sandoval is hitting just .208, and although he has four home runs, three came in the first 12 games of the season. He’s also…