Rendon (hamstring tear) 'ahead of schedule' for Halos return

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ANAHEIM -- Veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon is on the mend.

Rendon, who has been out since April 20 with a high-grade partial tear of his left hamstring, started participating in baseball activities this week. He took grounders on the infield on Friday and Saturday, including ranging to balls to his left and right on Saturday, and started exercises in the outfield. It’s a big step for Rendon, and although there’s not yet a timetable for his return, he’s considered weeks away, not months.

“I think I’m ahead of schedule,” Rendon said last week. “I’m trying to push it each and every day, and that’s what I keep telling Marc [Oceguera] in PT. ‘Hey, just keep pushing me, pushing me. Let my body tell me that it’s painful, it hurts or it’s not ready.’ So we’ll get back as soon as possible.”

Rendon, 34, was hitting .267/.325/.307 with three doubles and three RBIs in 19 games before sustaining the injury while trying to beat out an infield single. He was serving as the club’s leadoff hitter, a role Mike Trout eventually took over before Trout injured his left knee on April 29. The leadoff spot is now occupied by Nolan Schanuel.

Rendon said the process has been a learning experience; he's never had an extensive hamstring injury. But he said he’s reached out to others for tips as part of the rehab journey.

“Maybe it’s been tight,” Rendon said. “I think somebody said I missed a couple of weeks in ’21. But a majority of my career, it's been quads. So this is kind of the first big hamstring stuff I’ve had. I’ve sought out a lot of help, a lot of doctors, old teammates, guys who have had an injury like this, and they just say to be smart about it. You have to make sure it heals in a lengthened position, because if you stay stagnant, it bottles up that scar tissue, and whenever you run to try and lengthen it again, then it’s going to be more likely to go again.”

Angels manager Ron Washington said it was a good sign that Rendon was ramping things up. Washington views the 12-year veteran as an important part of the club, but Rendon still has several hurdles to clear before his return, including a likely rehab assignment because he’s missed so much time.

“I see him right now moving pretty good, but that doesn't mean that tomorrow, he's going to be playing,” Washington said. “He's the one that's going to let us know [when he’s ready].”

Rendon is ahead of Trout in the rehab process. Trout has yet to progress to light baseball activities after he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on May 3. Trout has utilized the Alter-G treadmill but hasn’t tested out running, hitting or throwing like Rendon has. Still, Washington said Trout remains on schedule and hasn’t suffered any setbacks.

“Mike is coming along well,” Washington said. “I have no date on when he's coming back, either. But I know he'll be back, hopefully soon.”