The Angels activated star third baseman Anthony Rendon from the injured list and slotted him in the cleanup spot for Friday's 4-3 loss to Boston. Outfielder Jon Jay was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Rendon went 1-for-4 with a single off the Green Monster in left field in the seventh inning on Friday. Angels manager Joe Maddon indicated that Rendon had trouble running full-speed in the game, especially after fouling a ball of his knee again in the fourth inning.

"That's part of why he wasn't able to get a double on the ball off the wall," Maddon said. "He was hurting a little bit. But he didn't complain. I think he's going to be fine. I don't think it was the exact spot, but he got himself."

Rendon, who missed nine games with a left knee contusion, was injured when he fouled a ball off his knee on May 3. He had been hitting on the field and taking grounders at third base since Monday, and he came away without any issues after taking batting practice ahead of Friday’s game.

With Jay out of the mix, the Angels are expected to use a combination of Taylor Ward and Juan Lagares in right field. When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster. Within seven days of the transaction, the player can either be traded or placed on irrevocable outright waivers. It’s the second time that Jay has been designated this season.

Rendon is hitting .274/.343/.452 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 16 games this year.