Angels GM: Rendon has to 'earn the right to play every day'
Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian won't guarantee Anthony Rendon an everyday role heading into the 2025 season.
"Anthony knows what type of player he is when he's healthy," Minasian said Monday while appearing on "Foul Territory."
"We need him healthy. We need him on the field. He knows that. He knows the expectations coming into camp. We talked about it. He's gonna have to come in and show us he can still play and earn the right to play every day."
Rendon slumped through another injury-plagued campaign in 2024, hitting .218/.307/.267 with no home runs and 14 RBIs across 57 games.
The now 34-year-old third baseman has played in just 257 of a possible 708 games since joining the Angels on a seven-year, $245-million contract ahead of the 2020 season.
He is slated to make $38.5 million in 2025 and 2026.
Rendon drew the ire of fans in February when he said baseball has "never been a top priority for me" amid concerns that he wasn't putting in his best effort to stay healthy and produce.
"Are we a better team with Anthony Rendon on the field? Absolutely," Minasian said. "Do we need a healthy Anthony Rendon that is that dynamic hitter in the box and (has) one of the highest aptitudes as far as feel for the game (goes) playing today? Yes. We need it."
Rendon was one of MLB's best infielders during his time with the Washington Nationals. He posted an .859 OPS (126 OPS+) across his seven-year tenure and finished third in NL MVP voting in 2019.
The Angels have not had a winning season since signing Rendon, with their best finish being 77-85 in 2021.