After a strong start to the season, things have gone downhill in a big way for the Los Angeles Angels. And unfortunately for them, the news isn’t getting any better.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Anthony Rendon will have surgery on his right wrist and as such, will miss the remainder of the 2022 season.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his right wrist, the team announces. In his three years with the Angels, he has hit .252/.359/.421 with 20 HR in 155 games. He has four years and $154M left on his deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 17, 2022
The news brought about a big reaction from MLB fans, who pointed out that free agent signings for the Angels seem to be drawn to this kind of fate.
What is it about the Angels that just sucks all the talent and health out once they get there https://t.co/0gomccgXa7
— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron) June 17, 2022
This franchise, it just can't win.
A pox upon the league, frankly… https://t.co/ghQawtMUhe— Kevin D. Grüssing (Pronounced Grew-Sing) (@KevDGrussing) June 17, 2022
That means Rendon was paid $1,145,833 per RBI this season. Good investment. https://t.co/o3lLlgr7yv
— Wager Street (@WagerStreet) June 17, 2022
Billy Eppler wanted Showalter as manager and was not in favor of targeting Rendon when he was a free agent
But ownership took over to hire Maddon (has since been fired), and gave over $300M to Rendon whose spent the majority of his tenure injured
Artie Moreno Masterclass. https://t.co/GWhRIpzIYk
— Tyler (@WardyNYM) June 17, 2022
I almost feel bad for them, but how many times are they going to sign an aging start to a long term contract and then watch them decline? They’ve passed out some of the worst contacts in the game the last 15 years. https://t.co/xTouudSPyl
— The Astros Locker (@TheAstrosLocker) June 17, 2022
Rendon signed with the Angels following a brilliant 2019 season in which he hit .319/.412/.598 with 36 home runs, won the Silver Slugger for National League third basemen, finished third in MVP voting and helped lead the Washington Nationals to the World Series championship. But the three seasons since have been a much different story, primarily because of health. Rendon did play in 52 games in the 2020 season, which was shortened to 60 games. But in the two years since, he’s played in 58 and 45 games.
While there had been some brief highlights, the 2022 season had not gone well for Rendon. He’ll finish the season with a .228/.324/.383 slash line and five home runs.
The Angels entered play on Friday 10 games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and five games out of the final Wild Card spot in the American League. There’s too much baseball left to say that Los Angeles is completely out of the race. But this injury will certainly not help their chances.