MLB Player News

Rendon (oblique) fielded groundballs and took batting practice prior to Saturday's game and reportedly felt good, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rendon continues to work his way back from the oblique issue he suffered near the end of summer camp. Manager Joe Maddon indicated that Rendon will increase his work Sunday, so the third baseman appears to be close to making his regular-season debut with the club. "He's definitely trending in the right direction," said Maddon.

Moncada is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Twins.

Moncada is off to a strong start through the season's first two games (4-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and four RBI), but he'll receive a breather Sunday. Danny Mendick will receive the start at the hot corner and bat eighth in the series finale.

Candelario is not in Sunday's lineup against the Reds.

He is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts through two games. Harold Castro will stat at third base and hit sixth.

LeMahieu will bat leadoff and play second base Saturday against the Nationals.

LeMahieu missed a large portion of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, though he was able to make the Opening Day roster. He didn't take part in Thursday's season opener but evidently didn't need a whole lot longer to get ready for the season, as he'll be involved from the start of the second game of the campaign.

Rendon (oblique) remains on the bench Saturday against Oakland but is feeling better and will take groundballs on the field prior to the game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rendon has been dealing with a tight oblique for just over a week. The issue never appeared particularly serious, and he avoided a trip to the injured list, so it sounds as though he could be making his Angels debut sometime soon. David Fletcher again starts at the hot corner Saturday.

Toro entered Friday's game after Aledmys Diaz suffered a right groin injury. He went 1-for-1 with a walk and a double.

Diaz, who started as the designated hitter, tweaked the groin while running the bases during the Astros' five-run fifth inning. With Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) weeks away from activity, the Astros will need a DH, so Toro may be in line for regular plate appearances depending on the severity of Diaz's injury.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in Friday's loss to Minnesota.

Moncada set up Chicago's initial run with a first-inning double and knotted the score in the second frame with a three-run homer off Minnesota ace Jose Berrios. Moncada missed most of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but the time away appears to have done little to slow his momentum following a breakout 2019 season.

Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a double during Friday's 2-0 win over the Royals.

Ramirez is coming off a sub-par season in which he hit for .255 with a .806 OPS -- those were his lowest numbers in both categories since the start of the 2016 season. He seems primed for a bounce-back campaign in 2020 and got off to a strong start in the season debut.

Rendon (oblique) took swings and played catch Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rendon wasn't ready for Friday's Opening Day matchup against the Athletics, but he was able to get some on-field work in and remains day-to-day. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Rendon is progressing in his recovery. The 30-year-old didn't appear in any of the Angels' exhibition games while battling oblique tightness.

Rendon (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Athletics.

As expected, Rendon won't be part of the starting nine for the Angels' Opening Day matchup as he continues to deal with oblique tightness. He avoided the injured list to begin the season, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to rejoin the starting nine. David Fletcher will start at third base in Rendon's absence, leading off.