Kung Fu Panda back on the pre-season grind

Ain’t no rest for the Panda Man!

Just days after returning from a five-game exhibition in Taiwan, the ever-loveable Pablo Sandoval was getting back into ship-shape for the 2012 baseball season. The celeb-status third baseman was reported to have returned to the Triple Threat Performance facility in Tempe, Arizona, to start working with trainers in preparation for spring training.

Striving for an explosive return to the baseball diamond to match his massive success at the end of the 2011 season, possibly? We certainly hope so. Especially if it means he’s going to hit another cycle or two like he did last September against the Rockies.

And how could you not love a guy that refers to his winter workout as “Operation Panda?” This is a ballplayer that’s all about improving and maintaining his game, and helping his team get to the play-offs in 2012.

Triple Threat Performance is the place responsible for helping the Kung Fu Panda shed 45 pounds last winter. He will receive repeat help from Triple Threat head trainer David Groeschner, who told SFGate that he “was encouraged to see Sandoval back in Arizona for workouts so soon.”

Sandoval ended last season with 23 homeruns and 70 RBIs, despite being on the disabled list twice after the All-Star break.

 Additional sources:

• ESPN Player Profile