Is Shohei Ohtani growing unhappy in Los Angeles with the Angels? He’s expressed his desire to win more at the All-Star break. Rumors about his future with the team are growing. Plus, he is dealing with a nagging injury that’s hampered his pitching.
So, it’s understandable for observers to look for the slightest inkling of frustration from MLB’s most attractive player. Friday night, Ohtani may have dropped a tea leaf and dragged his struggling teammate Anthony Rendon into the fray.
Ohtani got pulled from the game after surrendering five runs (four earned) in five innings against the Houston Astros. As he reached the dugout, Rendon went for a fist bump. However, Ohtani didn’t extend the same love back.
Rendon looked back at Angels hitting coach Marcus Thames, and the two shook their heads in disbelief.
Now, it’s possible Ohtani was so frustrated with leaving the game — he’s dealing with a blister that’s hampered his pitching for quite some time — he didn’t see Rendon. Yet, that explanation is not sufficient for many fans, who are frustrated by the Angels losing, and the fact Rendon has not been available to help.
“It’s okay Ohtani nobody likes Anthony Rendon either,” one Twitter user tweeted.
Another tweeted, “Ohtani out there playing with blisters and Rendon sitting on his [expletive] drinking Gatorade with a bruise.”
“Can’t blame Ohtani… he’s playing his [expletive] off, and Rendon can’t get on the field… and Rendon’s pulling in more [money],” another read.
It’s all speculative. But Rendon’s reaction to the missed fistbump could be more telling. His reaction is certainly why fans are reading deeper into the incident.
Rendon has not been popular among Angels fans. After winning a World Series ring with the Washington Nationals in 2019, he signed a massive $245 million, seven-year deal the following winter.
Things have not gone Rendon’s way in LA. Including this season, the 33-year-old third baseman has played 200 games through his four-year stint with the Angels combined. He didn’t play more than 58 games in any particular season in the first three years.
He’s played in 43 this season and just got placed on the 10-day injured list for the third time with a bruised left shin. Rendon fouled a ball off his leg during an at-bat on July 4.
Even on the field, Rendon has been a shell of himself compared to his days in Washington. He batted over .300 in his final three seasons with the Nationals. He also led the National League in doubles in 2018 and 2019, with 44 each season. Nats fans tabbed him “Tony Two Bags.”
However, Rendon is hitting .249 during his time with the Angels. He’s combined for 40 doubles through three-and-half seasons.
Once an integral part of a World Series-winning team, Anthony Rendon has become an eyesore to fans. He has arguably one of the worst contracts in MLB when factoring in his lack of availability.
Rendon’s struggles have become part of Ohtani’s story. Ohtani is in the final year of arbitration. After his one-year, $30 million ends, Ohtani slates to become a free agent. The Angels have been hopeful they’ll re-sign him. But the Angels have been a sub-500 team with no playoff appearances in Ohtani’s entire five-year career, including this season.
The Angels have lost 10 of their last 11 games. Fellow megastar Mike Trout is on the injured list with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist. Ohtani’s frustration could force the LA’s hands. Meanwhile, observers will watch for another crack that suggests the game’s top star wants out.
