Pablo Sandoval took the San Francisco by storm when he emerged as a slugger in 2009.

He was given the nickname Kung Fu Panda and his Giants won the World Series in 2010.

However, the infielder born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela has been in the news for the wrong reasons this year.  He suffered a broken bone in his hand last month and is just returning to minor league rehab assignments. Sandoval soon hopes to join a San Francisco Giants team that is closing in on first place Los Angeles in the National League West.

Now a report has surfaced that could affect and distract Sandoval. An investigation is underway about a sexual assault case that involves a woman Sandoval knows and had a “consensual, personal relationship of a sexual nature.” 

No charges have been filed and Sandoval has made no public comments.

Sandoval’s attorney Eric Geffon says that his client met with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department about an incident that occurred on Friday June 1 in a hotel resort near Santa Cruz, California.

In the meantime, Kung Fu Panda hopes to get healthy and escape serious legal action.

Written by HS News Sport Writer:  Nate Jacobson