Until a recent 3-7 stretch, the Los Angeles Angels had been putting together a decent start to the 2024 season, but matters got more frustrating last weekend.
That frustration came from a familiar source, as a fallen superstar fell once again just as he was starting to produce a little bit. Now, the Los Angeles Angels must depend on a once-stellar prospect to fill in.
Anthony Rendon, at one time among the best third basemen in the game, is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $245 million contract that ranks among the very worst deals in MLB history. The former All-Star has muddled through four-plus seasons plagued by injury and poor performance after starring for the Washington Nationals.
And just as he was starting to hit this season, Rendon is off on the injured list once again.
In Rendon’s Absence, Los Angeles Angels Turn to Sano at 3B
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Rendon began the 2024 season by going 0-for-19 in his first five games. His first hit of the season garnered a round of Bronx Cheers at Angel Stadium. However, since this poor start, Rendon was batting .357 over his past 14 games.
That all ended on Saturday when Rendon suffered the latest in a seemingly-unending string of injuries. The 33-year-old injured his left hamstring while running to first base against the Cincinnati Reds and was forced from the game. Rendon himself shared the frustration he has brought to the Los Angeles Angels fanbase, telling reporters:
“I think that’s one of the most frustrating parts, right? I’m starting to barrel the ball more, and when I didn’t I was just starting to find holes. Like earlier in the season, I was barreling it and they were catching it. I think that’s the most frustrating part, I was getting into a groove and of course this happens.”
The bad news was confirmed as Rendon went on the 10-day injured list, with the team calling up infielder Ehire Adrianza from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place on the roster.
Rendon has not played more than 58 games in any of his previous four seasons with the Los Angeles Angels due to a plethora of injuries since coming over from the Nationals on a bank-busting contract following the 2019 season.
First up to replace Rendon at the hot corner is Miguel Sano, a lumbering former prospect with the Minnesota Twins. Sano never panned out with the Twins after finishing third in the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year balloting. He did not play baseball last season as he recovered from a 2022 knee surgery.
Rendon a Long-Running Headache for Los Angeles Angels
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Rendon was one of the top players in baseball over seven seasons with the Nationals. He finished in the top 11 in NL MVP voting four times with Washington, highlighted by his 2019 campaign. Rendon won his second Silver Slugger Award after batting .319 with 34 home runs, an NL-leading 44 doubles, and an MLB-best 126 RBIs.
His time with the Los Angeles Angels started decently enough. He batted .286 with nine homers and 31 RBIs over the COVID-abbreviated 2020 season. That was good enough to place tenth in the AL MVP balloting.
However, Rendon’s performances have continued to slide every season since for the Angels. In just over four years with the Angels, he has batted just .242 with 22 homers and 111 RBIs in 206 total games. During seven seasons with the Nationals, hit .290 with 136 homers and 546 RBIs in 916 games.
Prior to the start of the 2024 campaign, Rendon rankled many with comments that baseball is not his “top priority.”
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
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