Angels News: The Mysterious Anthony Rendon Saga Continues

While Mike Trout's return to the field is positive news, the curious case of Anthony Rendon continues to hang over what's been a frustrating season for manager Phil Nevin and the Angels.

Angels beat writer Sam Blum of The Athletic offered this update on Rendon's status with the team Tuesday evening (via Twitter). The quote comes directly from Nevin:

There's nothing new with Anthony Rendon, Phil Nevin said.

As for if he's improving:

"It depends on which day you ask him. It comes and goes each day."

He hasn't done any on-field work, and it's unclear if he's progressed in off-field work at all.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 23, 2023

To say Rendon's season has been a disappointment would be understating the obvious. On the year, the 33-year-old is hitting .236 with 2 HRs and 22 RBIs. He last played July 4th in San Diego -- and since then was put onto the 60-day DL.

According to Blum's Twitter timeline, he mentioned Rendon's injury in correspondence to reliever Jesse Chavez. Per Blum, the Angels had compared Chavez's shin injury to the one Rendon has been nursing. Just recently per an MRI, Chavez found out he had a microfracture issue.

Rendon has not been available to update on his health, despite requests.

The Angels also stopped making their head athletic trainer available this season.

There is almost no information on the Angels' most expensive player, who is also under contract through 2026.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 23, 2023

Rendon is in the midst of a 7-year/$245 million deal. For the next three years after this one, the Angels will be on the books for a base salary of $38 million per year.

After some monster years in Washington, Rendon's career with the Halos hasn't exactly been as impressive. He's yet to hit over .300 once in the four years he's played for the franchise. A multitude of injuries have zapped his production and availability.

Anthony Rendon's stats since joining the Angels:

2020 (in 52 games): .286 BA ; 9 HR ; 31 RBI ; .915 OPS

2021 (in 58 games): .240 BA ; 6 HR ; 34 RBI ; .712 OPS

2022 (in 47 games): .229 BA ; 5 HR ; 24 RBI ; .706 OPS

2023 (in 43 games): .236 BA ; 2 HR ; 22 RBI ; .678 OPS

Surely, Rendon has to be beyond frustrated with the amount of games he's missed over the last four years. At the same time, the Angels must be equally as miffed considering the amount of money shelled out by ownership to get Rendon in LA in the first place.

Just to be clear: No one is preventing Anthony Rendon from talking other than Anthony Rendon. This is not an Arte/Angels PR/coaching thing. He just doesn't want to.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 23, 2023

Objectively speaking, this is looking like the worst contract in baseball -- and perhaps one of the worst big-money deals of all-time (unless Rendon turns it around).