MLB investigating Rendon incident with fan

OAKLAND -- Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon met with the media before Saturday’s 13-1 win over the A’s, but said he couldn’t comment about his altercation with a fan on Thursday that was captured on video and widely shared on social media on Friday.

A spokesperson for Major League Baseball confirmed the league is currently investigating the incident. Rendon, who was in the lineup and starting at third base on Saturday, was asked a series of five questions but repeatedly said he couldn’t say anything because of the ongoing investigation.

“It’s an ongoing investigation so unfortunately I can’t comment,” Rendon said.

The Angels held a team meeting before the game to discuss the incident and the clubhouse was only briefly open to the media. General manager Perry Minasian and manager Phil Nevin also addressed the media but said they couldn’t comment on the situation.

"It’s a league investigation,” Minasian said. “Obviously, it's in MLB’s hands right now. At this point, I can't talk about it, but at some point, I will.”

Nevin was asked if the ordeal was a distraction for the team, but he downplayed it and said the meeting went well.

"For the moment, maybe, because of all of the media here but no, I don't think so,” Nevin said. “The one thing I've said all along is we got a great group in there. The one thing that I was most proud of last year and then continuing through the spring is the way this team is bonded and gelled together, and they're all gonna stand together now. It was evident when we met earlier."

Nevin, who played 12 seasons in the Majors, said it’s not unusual to hear heckling from the fans. But he wouldn’t comment on Rendon’s actions.

"This happens a lot, unfortunately,” Nevin said. "And a lot of times we just don't see it. You’re gonna hear things all the time and, it's their money, they come in and watch the game and you hear it a lot. Right now, I just don't want to comment on the incident involving Anthony or anything that goes along with it."

Rendon, 32, is in his fourth year with the Angels after signing a seven-year deal worth $245 million before the 2020 season. He's often praised as a team leader by Nevin, who said his view of Rendon hasn’t changed.

"I still feel the same way about Anthony as I've told you guys all along," Nevin said. "We just can't comment about the actual incident right now."