Angels GM defends Rendon: 'Works his tail off'

Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian came to the defense of Anthony Rendon after the third baseman was criticized for saying baseball has "never been a top priority for me."

"Anthony is very dedicated to his craft," Minasian told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register on Tuesday.

"If you see him work, if you watch his pregame routine, see him in the cage, see him in the weight room. He hasn't had the best three years. He's been hurt. He's had some injuries that have not allowed (him) to perform up to his capabilities. With that being said, this guy doesn't go on vacation in the Bahamas. He's there for his teammates."

Rendon called baseball "a job" on Monday and said the game he's played professionally since 2012 is secondary to his faith and family. Nearly a month earlier, his former teammate Jonathan Papelbon said Rendon "literally hates baseball" after Rendon suggested the MLB season should be shorter.

Minasian disagreed with the narrative that Rendon isn't focused on baseball.

"This is somebody that works his tail off, wants to play well, wants to win wants to bring people with him, which I think is really, really important," the GM said.

"And it's somebody that we need. We need them to have an impactful year on the field and in the clubhouse."

The oft-injured Rendon has appeared in 200 games with the Angels since inking a seven-year, $245-million contract ahead of the 2020 season. He's posted a .758 OPS with 22 home runs and 111 RBIs during that span.