The rumors are true. Sandoval isn’t planning to retire. The 37-year-old was jettisoned by the Giants at the conclusion of spring training, but will continue his comeback effort with a stint in the independent Atlantic League. It would be a pretty remarkable story if he eventually wound up getting back to the big leagues.

Sandoval, who last played in the majors in 2021, said he’d be willing to go to the minors, but it seems it won’t be with the Giants. He got his sendoff Tuesday in San Francisco, when he singled in the second of his two at-bats.

Sandoval has officially arrived at Giants camp and will be an extreme long shot to make the club’s season-opening roster in a bench role. It’s a fascinating wrinkle for San Francisco as the 37-year-old veteran spent the first 11 seasons of his career in the Bay Area and was part of three World Series championship squads. He last appeared in the majors with the Braves back in 2021 when he got into 69 contests.