News Every Day | 27 April 2024, 04:35

Angels’ Anthony Rendon to miss significant time with torn hamstring

ANAHEIM — Anthony Rendon’s hamstring injury is not just some tightness that will resolve in a matter of weeks.

The Angels’ oft-injured third baseman has a high grade partial tear of his left hamstring. The Angels had not provided detail on the severity of the injury until Friday because Rendon had sought further opinions after the initial diagnosis.

Although the Angels won’t give a timetable, it’s going to be a matter of months. The team is still hoping that he’ll come back this season, but given Rendon’s history nothing is certain.

“I have no idea how long because hamstrings are tricky,” General Manager Perry Minasian said. “It’s unfortunate, because he was starting to swing the bat well, but that’s why we have the depth we have. Guys like (Miguel) Sanó, (Luis) Rengifo and (Brandon) Drury will have to step up.”

Rendon, who is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $245 million deal, has been injured more often than not so far with the Angels. Rendon, 33, missed more than half of the previous three seasons.

“It’s four years now,” Rendon said. I was angry for a few days, frustrated. Anything that you can possibly imagine. The game keeps getting taken away from me. I want to win. I want to be out there. It’s frustrating. I don’t know what else to try. You try to control as much as possible. I try to do everything in my power to stay out there, and it seems like nothing’s working.”

In 2021, Rendon was initially out with what was described as a hamstring injury, but his season was ended because of hip surgery. He had wrist surgery in 2022. He fractured his leg in 2023. He played 148 of a possible 486 games (30.5%) in those seasons.

While Rendon is rehabbing this injury, he is planning to offer as much help as possible to his younger teammates.

“I think that’s what I’ve been figuring out over the last few years since I’ve been in this position more often than I would like,” Rendon said. “How am I gonna be able to impact the guys off the field, right? How can I talk to them, when I’m down in the dugout? Or how do I talk to them after the game, after they’ve had a good day after they had a bad day? How can I share my wisdom and what I’ve been through so kind of give as much wisdom as I can while I’m here?”

SILSETH UPDATE

Right-hander Chase Silseth, who is out with elbow inflammation, resumed throwing on Friday, with about 10 light throws.

It’s just the first step in the process, and Silseth has no idea how long it will take.

“I’m just trying to take it day by day,” Silseth said. “Whenever a new obstacle comes my way, and they tell me what I need to do, I’m just gonna do it. I have no idea how all this stuff (goes). It was my first time through it. Learning as we go but hopefully not on here too much.”

SUAREZ’S STATUS

The Angels have decided to keep working with left-hander José Suarez to help him rediscover himself. Although Suarez has a 9.20 ERA through his first five games, the Angels haven’t given serious consideration to designating him for assignment at this point. They believe he would be claimed, and it’s too early to give up on him.

“We’re just trying to settle him down,” Manager Ron Washington said. “Make him understand that he can throw the ball across the plate. You don’t have to be out there pitching for chase. And it looked like the majority of the time he came on the mound when he wasn’t successful, he was pitching for chase, and he doesn’t have to pitch for chase.

“He can command a baseball. He just hasn’t been doing it. So we’re trying to get him back to commanding the baseball. And once you start commanding the baseball, I think the rest of it will fall into place.”

The Angels need Suarez to be better because he’s one of only two lefties in the bullpen, and the other one – Matt Moore – is not a traditional lefty who is more effective against left-handed hitters.

One alternative at some point could be Amir Garrett, a veteran the Angels signed on a minor league deal. Garrett has allowed two runs in 6⅓ innings so far at Triple-A, and he’s been throwing his fastball in the upper 90s. The issue is that he’s has only retired three of the six lefties he’s faced, so the Angels would like to see him improve that before they bring him to the majors.

NOTES

Infielder Brandon Drury, who was out of the lineup for six of the previous nine games because of hamstring tightness, was the DH on Friday night. Washington said Drury could return to the field on Saturday if he comes through Friday’s game strong. …

Infielder Miguel Sanó returned to the lineup after coming out of Wednesday’s game with knee soreness. Washington said Sanó’s knee still could act up after he plays three or four games in a row. Washington said it hurts him more when his knee twists as he’s hitting than it does when he’s playing defense or running. …

Right-hander Andrew Wantz was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation while at Triple-A. He has resumed throwing. …

Right-hander Sam Bachman is improving, but his back spasms have not subsided enough for him to resume throwing. Minasian said he’s not concerned that Bachman’s back is a long-term issue. …

Washington declined to say anything more about the MLB decision not to reverse the umpire’s call when Jo Adell was caught stealing to end Wednesday’s game. “You guys aren’t going to pay my fine if I say something,” Washington told reporters with a laugh.