Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval benched for using Instagram during game

Pablo Sandoval was benched for Thursday's game by the Boston Red Sox for using Instagram during Wednesday night's game.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval was benched for Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves after admitting to checking the social media app Instagram while using the bathroom during Wednesday's 5–2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, the team announced.

A blogger for Barstool Sports tweeted a screenshot of Sandoval “liking” a woman's photos while the Red Sox were hitting in the seventh inning.

Sandoval said he later met with manager John Farrell and general manager Ben Cherrington to inform them that he violated the team's social media policy and checked Instagram while he used the bathroom. 

According to ESPN.com's Gordon Edes, Farrell noted that Sandoval violated MLB's policy prohibiting use of social media during a game and will likely face discipline from the league. 

“I know I [messed] up and made a mistake yesterday,” Sandoval said. “I learned from that. I'm a human being. I made a mistake. I apologized to my teammates, the team, the organization, the fans who support us.”

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A separate report from FoxSports.com noted that Sandoval did not necessarily violate the MLB social media policy. Instead, what was at issue was a league stipulation banning the use of cell phones in the clubhouse within 30 minutes of a game's first pitch. 

Sandoval said he was not fined by the Red Sox and expects to play on Friday. 

Sandoval​, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract with Boston in November, is hitting .270 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 2015. 

- Christopher Chavez