The Los Angeles Angels got the expected, but still disappointing news over the weekend that third baseman Anthony Rendon has a tear in his hamstring and is out indefinitely. Rendon last played on April 20 when he was removed from the game after legging out an infield single. He was immediately placed on the 10-day injured list, but figures to be out for much longer now.
It’s the fourth consecutive year of major injury for Rendon, who has played in only 32.5% of all Angels games since the start of the 2021 season. Rendon went into the season completely healthy, for a change, and was excited to try and get back to his former self while trying to help the Angels win more games than anticipated.
He now doesn’t get the chance to do either, and despite commentary in the offseason about his commitment to baseball, the third baseman was visibly frustrated about the news, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“I’m definitely not going to be back in the 10-day window,” Rendon said. “It’s been four years running now. So I was angry for a few days, frustrated, mad, everything you could imagine because the game keeps getting taken away from me, right? I want to win, and I want to be out there. I do everything in my power to stay out there, and it seems like nothing is working.”
Angels general manager Perry Minasian did not want to commit to any specific return-to-play timeline for Rendon given his injury, but is confident in what the Angels have behind him on the depth chart.
“There’s no timeframe,” Minasian said. “He’s got a tear. We’ll take it day by day and see how it goes. Hamstrings are tricky. It’s obviously unfortunate. He was just starting to swing the bat well. But that’s why we have the depth that we have. Guys like Sanó, Rengifo and Drury can step up.”
Miguel Sanó has been the every day third baseman since Rendon’s injury, but he has also been slumping in recent games. Luis Rengifo, Brandon Drury and Ehire Adrianza all can play the position as well, but are better utilized elsewhere.
It’s unclear when, or if, Rendon will be back this season. But it’s shaping up to potentially be a fourth lost year for the once star third baseman.
Angels-Phillies probables
The Angels close out a long, and thus far unsuccessful homestand, with a meeting against the Philadelphia Phillies. L.A. is 1-5 thus far, but could salvage things with three solid outings against the Phillies. Here are the probable starters for the series in Anaheim.
Monday, April 29, 6:38 p.m. PT
Griffin Canning vs. Cristopher Sanchez
Tuesday, April 30, 6:38 p.m. PT
Tyler Anderson vs. Spencer Turnbull
Wednesday, May 1, 1:07 p.m. PT
Patrick Sandoval vs. Zack Wheeler