Angels News: Phil Nevin, MLB Insider Provide Positive Updates on Anthony Rendon
Anthony Rendon's road with the Angels has not been smooth. Since signing a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Halos after the 2019 season, Rendon has seen nearly everything go wrong.
His first season with the Angels was pretty good, playing 52 of the 60 games in the shortened 2020 season, posting a 150 OPS+, and finishing 10th in the American League MVP voting. Since then, though, it's been one injury after another.
Rendon missed time in April 2021 with a left groin strain, and was back on the injured list in early May with a left knee contusion. July completed the left-leg trifecta, as he went down with a left hamstring strain. He hadn't even returned from that injury when, in August, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right hip impingement, ending his season after just 58 games.
In 2022, he lasted 41 games before going on the IL with right wrist inflammation in late May. He was activated two weeks later, but less than a week after that he was placed on the 60-day IL with that same wrist issue. He essentially missed the rest of the season, playing just two games in the final weekend.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, though, Rendon's injury troubles might all be behind him. In a brief comment as part of a much larger notes column, Heyman said this:
Anthony Rendon, who the Angels see as a key, is said feeling “fantastic.”
Angels manager Phil Nevin doubled down on Rendon's status when he spoke to the MLB Network Radio on Friday.
"He’s had a heckuva offseason. He’s healthy," Nevin said. "And I think he’s hearing the noise... He cares. The worst thing I’ve heard about him is 'he doesn’t want to play.' That couldn’t be further from the truth."
The Angels could definitely use a fantastic-feeling Rendon. From 2014-20, Rendon posted a 130 OPS+ and played outstanding defense. The injuries took a toll on his defense, and his OPS+ the last two seasons is just 97.
The Halos did a good job patching together some roster depth this offseason, but a healthy and productive Rendon is one of the most important factors in whether they can compete in the AL West this season.
