Angels News: Anthony Rendon Day-to-Day With Back Soreness

Anthony Rendon will miss at least one game for the Los Angeles Angels due to back soreness. He was absent from the starting lineup for Monday's matchup against the Minnesota Twins and is considered day-to-day according to Rhett Bollinger .

This marks the first time Rendon has missed a game due to back pain since joining the Angels. Throughout his tenure, he has faced various injuries, including issues with his knee, hip, hamstring, groin, and wrist.

When the Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract before the 2020 season, they expected him to be a reliable presence in the lineup. However, he has only played in 247 of a possible 667 games, averaging about $235,000 per game.

The Angels have struggled with depth at third base, using 28 different players in that position since Rendon's signing, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register , which is more than any other team in Major League Baseball.

In contrast, the Washington Nationals, who he left behind, have utilized 19 third basemen during the same period.

Rendon, now 34, has not played more than 58 games in any of his five seasons with the Angels and has only appeared in 57 games this year.

His performance has also dipped, with no home runs in over 211 plate appearances and an OPS of .586, well below the league average. Defensively, he recorded -5 Defensive Runs Saved last year.

Rendon has acknowledged that his priorities have shifted since starting a family, but he still views baseball as an important part of his career.

"It's never been a top priority for me," Rendon said . "This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job. So if those things come before it, I'm leaving."

But when he got some blowback from his comments he said, "Oh, it's a priority for sure, because it's my job," he said . "I'm here, aren't I?"