The Los Angeles Angels have been plagued by injuries throughout the 2023 season, and among the players to miss a significant amount of time is Anthony Rendon.
The veteran third baseman’s year got off to a bad start when he was suspended four games due to a physical altercation with a fan at Oakland Coliseum on Opening Day.
Rendon was placed on the 10-day injured list one month later with a left groin strain. He returned after three weeks, but went back on the IL because of a bruised left wrist in June.
Rendon rejoined the Angels at the end of the month, but then sustained a season-ending leg injury after fouling off a pitch during a Fourth of July matchup against the San Diego Padres. The fractured tibia was originally announced as a bone bruise.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian downplayed the misdiagnosis and emphasized the importance of a healthy Rendon returning next season, per Janis Carr of the Southern California News Group:
“The diagnosis doesn’t matter. It is treated the same way,” Minasian said.
“For us, we need to get Anthony on the field and playing. He’s a really good player and he enhances (the team) when he plays. We have a way better chance of winning games with the attitude he plays with, the baseball IQ, what he does in the batter’s box. He’s one of those winning players who will find a way to do what needs to be done to win.”
Rendon established himself as one of the best third basemen during his time with the Washington Nationals and cashed in by signing a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels prior to the 2020 season.
While his arrival came with plenty of fanfare, Rendon has hit just .249/.359/.399 in 200 games across four seasons in L.A. The 33-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract, declined to say whether or not he will return next season.
Mike Trout to travel with Angels on road trip
Mike Trout, who hasn’t appeared in a game since August 22 because of a left hamate fracture, traveled with the Angels for the final road trip of the season. The 11-time All-Star is unlikely to play again this year.