OAKLAND — Anthony Rendon remains under investigation after an incident with a fan occurred following the Los Angeles Angels’ 2-1 loss to the Oakland A’s on Thursday night.
Rendon spoke to the media Saturday during Angels batting practice for the first time since the altercation but didn’t say much about the matter.
“I can’t comment right now,” he said, including when asked if he had seen the video in question.
Rendon continued to say he couldn’t comment on the situation at hand.
“I don’t even know, they haven’t told me,” Rendon said when asked if the investigation was with the league or law enforcement.
On Thursday night, Rendon was seen on a video grabbing a fan’s shirt, who was sporting Oakland gear, cursed at him, and made a swiping motion toward the fan.
Wow! Uncool! pic.twitter.com/FNRFWL46A0
— PetrosAndMoneyShow (@PetrosAndMoney) March 31, 2023
Angels general manager Perry Minasian also told media he couldn’t comment while the situation remained under investigation.
“We are aware of the video and we are now looking into the matter,” an MLB spokesperson told The Athletic’s Sam Blum.
Manager Phil Nevin also said he couldn’t comment on the matter, but did say he didn’t see, despite the media attention, the matter as a distraction to the team.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay was asked about the incident during his media availability.
The A’s have a security agent, Pete Espinosa, who travels with the team during away games. Kotsay said he spoke to his team as a group about what had occurred.
“It’s difficult,” Kotsay said. “There’s a lot of emotion that goes into this game, especially on an Opening Night. You know, it’s tough — we’re held accountable for our actions and you know, at times, it can be difficult to block out verbal attacks, per se. You’re always trying to do what’s right, and I think emotions may have gotten the best of that situation.”
