Anthony Rendon's season just keeps going from bad to worse, this time in the form of a bizarre response to a reporter's question.
The Los Angeles Angels third baseman is currently on the 60-day injured list with a shin injury and has not played since July 4; so, naturally, there's curiosity around his health status and when he might be back. When a reporter this week asked him a question to this effect, he responded, "No habla inglés today" before donning a hoodie and exiting the building. It should be noted that Rendon is indeed a fluent English speaker.
This apathetic response has contributed to the frustration that Angels fans have already been feeling toward Rendon. He signed a massive, $245 million contract before the 2020 season, but he has been so frequently injured during his time in LA that he's failed to play more than 60 games in any season since signing. Rendon was also suspended earlier this season when video emerged of him engaging in a physical altercation with a fan at the Oakland Coliseum; Rendon claimed the fan had verbally insulted him.
Totally normal behavior. pic.twitter.com/EAEPrSCUAO
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) September 4, 2023
This year alone, he's produced multiple curious responses to questions about his health. Back in June, when asked about the status of his wrist, he noted "I have two" before displaying them and leaving the clubhouse. In August, when asked about his shin, he remarked, "I'm not here" and once again walked away. Not long after, in early July, he told reporters that since he's on the "dead list," he doesn't have to do interviews.
So it's understandable if fans are dissatisfied with his latest response. It also does not help that when he has been on the field, Rendon has been far from his best, All-Star self; he's shown no power and is putting up an OPS under .700 this year.
Rendon arrived in LA with high expectations after twice finishing in the top 5 of NL MVP voting as a National. He had played a vital role in their first World Series title run, as he was absolutely fantastic in each round of the postseason — especially the NLDS and NLCS, hitting over .400 in both. Since signing his contract, it has seemed to many that he is "checked out" and simply collecting his enormous paycheck. With Angels stars potentially on the move this offseason, we'll see if the team is able to find a way to get Rendon off the payroll.
