Anthony Rendon questions Angels after shocking injury admission
On Friday, Anthony Rendon revealed a shocking admission about a leg injury that's kept him out of action for two months, which could call into question how the Los Angeles Angels handled things.
While Rendon has been nursing the injury, the Angels have long contended that he didn't suffer a fracture. However, Rendon told reporters that a second opinion showed a fractured tibia. Making the matter a little messier, Rendon said he received this information a month ago and expressed confusion about why the Angels have stayed quiet.
Second opinions aren't out of the norm so that in-and-of itself isn't too damming for the Angels. Also, if Rendon was so concerned about announcing his injury, he had the opportunity to say something before Friday.
“Because I was still in pain, I kept reaching out to more doctors and kept asking more questions,” Rendon said, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. “I didn’t know why I was still in pain.”
Regardless of the circumstances, it's still not the best look for L.A.. At best, it shows poor communication between the player and the team and at worst, the Angels medical staff's practices are called into question.
To be fair, Rendon doesn't have the best track record when it comes to staying healthy, especially since joining the Angels. After signing a seven-year, $245 million free-agent contract with the Angels in 2020, Rendon has played only 200 games over four seasons.
Frequently absent from the Angels lineup due to injury, Rendon's numbers have also taken a hit. After averaging 24 home runs and 97 RBI, slashing .290/.369/.490 over seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, Rendon has yet to come near that production with the Angels.
The 33-year-old's best season in L.A. came in his first year with the team when he batted .286/.418/.497 with nine homers and 31 RBI over the COVID-19-shortened 52-game season. Since then, he's averaged only four homers and 27 RBI a season over the last three years.
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