The Los Angeles Angels have been hit somewhat hard by the injury bug in the first month of the season. Just as everyone was starting to get healthy, a couple of errant foul balls have put the statuses of Anthony Rendon and Justin Upton in question.
On Monday night’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Rendon was removed after fouling a pitch off into his knee. A day later, in Tuesday’s loss to the Rays, Upton faced the same fate. Both had more serious injuries ruled out relatively quickly, but Rendon did not play on Tuesday, and it’s unclear whether one or both of them will sit on Wednesday.
Joe Maddon said that Rendon won’t need an injured list stint, but is still very sore, even if he is steadily improving, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:
Third baseman Anthony Rendon was not in the lineup a day after suffering a left knee contusion on a foul ball, but he remained on the active roster because the Angels continue to believe he’s just day to day.
“He’s real sore, but better,” Maddon said. “He felt better today. Obviously better than he did last night.”
As for Upton, the same injury has him facing the same fate of day to day. There was less clarity as to how he is feeling though, as the injury happened a day later, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Justin Upton is being considered day to day with a right* knee contusion, the Angels said.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 5, 2021
Hopefully, the two can quickly recover and get themselves back in the lineup. As the usual No. 4 and No. 6 batter in the Angels order, they are extremely important to what the team does offensively.
Generally, contusions are not huge deals and can even be played through if absolutely necessary. However, in May, the Angels likely decided it is not worth the risk and it’s best to sit them until they feel fully ready to go.
Shohei Ohtani to pitch Wednesday after being scratched on Monday
Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani was also the victim of bad luck, as he was hit in the elbow by a pitch, forcing him to miss his scheduled start on Monday. After a couple days of recovery, he is the presumed starter for Wednesday’s bout with the Rays.
