The Los Angeles Angels have been dealt a significant blow this 2024 MLB season as third baseman Anthony Rendon will be out of action for an extended period.
Rendon himself has shared the grave news about his hamstring injury, which occurred during an April 20 game against the Cincinnati Reds.
After attempting to run out an infield hit, Rendon was noticeably limping, and subsequent assessments confirmed a high-grade partial tear in his hamstring. He has been placed on the 10-day Injured List, but the outlook suggests a much longer recovery period.
Rendon expressed his frustration about the setback, “It’s incredibly frustrating to have the game taken away from me again, but I plan to stay around the team as I heal,” he told Sam Blum of The Athletic. Currently, there is no fixed timetable for his return, leaving the team and fans uncertain about when they can expect him back on the field.
The timing is particularly unfortunate as Rendon had started to find his form, hitting .357 with an OBP of .413 and an OPS of .823 after a challenging start to the season. His improvement was a positive sign for an Angels team adjusting to life after Shohei Ohtani’s departure.
Injuries have plagued Rendon’s tenure with the Angels since he joined the franchise on a seven-year, $245 million contract before the 2020 season. Although he showed promise in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, his availability has been limited.
He played 58 games in 2021, 47 in 2022, and only 43 in 2023. With his current injury, it’s uncertain if he will manage to play more than 50 games this season, a threshold he has not surpassed in recent years.
The Angels, currently holding a 10-15 record, are navigating a challenging season, and Rendon’s prolonged absence will undoubtedly make their path to success even harder. For now, the team and its fans must remain patient and hopeful for Rendon’s recovery and eventual return to bolster the lineup.
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