Rendon returns to Angels lineup; Trout's comeback ramps up

ANAHEIM, Calif.— Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon was back in the lineup Monday for the first time since April 20.

The former All-Star missed 68 games with a left hamstring strain. Rendon faced live pitching at Angel Stadium over the weekend and also got to run sprints.

"It was good to see something coming at me," Rendon said. "The main thing I wanted to do was run everyday.

"Obviously being a hamstring injury, I wanted to make sure I got here, ran the bases, got moving every single day. That's something we didn't do prior so with the team being on the road, I got to do that."

Rendon was batting in the leadoff spot Monday, where he was hitting prior to the injury. He was told by manager Ron Washington that he will alternate days between playing third base and being the designated hitter.

"I talked with him today earlier before he got to the ballpark and he had the same excitement in his voice that he had in his voice over the winter," Washington said. "He really wanted to perform this year. 

"He had this date on the calendar and it's here and he's excited about it."

Prior to going on the injured list, Rendon had hit safely in 12 of 14 games and had six multi-hit games in that span. He has 20 hits in 75 at-bats with three runs batted in and an OPS of .672.

Rendon has battled injuries during his four-year tenure with the Angels. He has not played in more than 58 games in a season as an Angel and has only had an above league average OPS+ once, the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

Washington said Rendon is eager to show that he can return to the elite form he was in prior to joining the Angels.

"He knows he's a better player than he's showed the Angels fans," Washington said. "He wants to come out here and show he can still perform. 

"Now that he's gone through what he's gone through, I hope the baseball Gods bless him for the rest of this year."

Trout pain free in workouts

Outfielder Mike Trout was taking soft toss on the field prior to Monday's game and jogged on the field in cleats for the first time since suffering a meniscus tear April 29.

"As soon as I get the progression of running, I feel fine to play," Trout said. "I took 30 swings today out there with no pain at all.

"The hitting part of it, I have no issues. What I did today, I feel really good."

Trout began taking soft toss while the Angels were on their road trip last week. He said he hopes to upgrade from soft toss to full batting practice in the coming days. 

The Angels have Trout running in straight lines currently. The next step is to get him to be able to change directions and if he feels good doing that, having him run the bases. 

Trout previously said he hopes to return to the lineup in late July. He confirmed that potential timeline for a return Monday.

"I don't have an exact date for you guys but as soon as I get done with the running process, because the hitting side is fine," he said. 

Washington was encouraged by Trout's workout on Monday.

"I watched him do some early hitting and I see why he is the star that he is," Washington said. "He did some stuff out there with a tee and some flip that I don't think any of those kids in that clubhouse can do."

Angels DFA Sano

Miguel Sano was designated for assignment Monday to make room for Anthony Rendon on the active roster. 

The third baseman returned from a knee injury June 25. Since then he was 1 for 22 with a home run and an OPS of .307.

"We had to make a decision, we just had to see where it fits," Washington said. "We couldn't just keep Sano and he not get an opportunity to swing the bat. 

"Sometimes the numbers get you. In his situation, the numbers got him."

Washington said he hopes Sano finds another opportunity with a major league team but if not, he hopes to keep Sano in the organization.

Washington happy for Anderson

Pitcher Tyler Anderson was named to the American League all-star team Sunday, the lone representative from the Angels. 

Washington seems to agree with Anderson representing the team in the All-Star Game next week in Arlington, Texas.

"I think it's wonderful," Washington said. "It couldn't have happened to a better guy. 

"(He's) one of our best leaders of our pitching staff. I hope him and his family go down to Texas and enjoy every moment that they can."

Neto, Ward get day off

Zach Neto and Taylor Ward were noticeably absent from the Angels' lineup Monday. Washington said both players are healthy and it was a scheduled day off for the two.

"They have played the most innings, they've played almost every game," Washington said. "Every time I decided I wanted to give them a day off, I couldn't."

Ward banged up his knee by colliding with a wall at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sunday while diving for a foul ball. 

"He got to the ballpark today, came into my office and told me he could go," Washington said. "I said, 'Good. Be ready to go off the bench. I've been trying to give you an off day and I'm going to take this opportunity to do it.'" 

Ward told reporters that he felt much better Monday and was available to come off the bench. He hoped to return to the lineup Tuesday.