Angels’ Anthony Rendon still isn’t doing baseball activity in rehab from hamstring injury

ANAHEIM — The path to Anthony Rendon’s return is as muddled as ever.

Manager Joe Maddon said on Sunday morning that Rendon still isn’t doing any baseball activity. He has been on the injured list since July 6 with a strained left hamstring, an injury that was supposed to sideline him for just a couple days.

“I spoke with him yesterday and he wasn’t highly optimistic about things,” Maddon said. “That’s what I’ve got.”

Rendon’s second season under a seven-year, $245-million deal with the Angels has been miserable. He’s been on the injured list three times, each time with a different injury. He has been out with a left groin strain and a left knee contusion. Each time the injury kept him out for more time than expected.

When he’s been healthy, he’s hit .240 with six homers and a .712 OPS. He has a career .854 OPS, and over the previous four seasons he averaged .949.

There isn’t much more clarity with Mike Trout’s strained left calf, although doctors have told him he’s free to do more work when he no longer feels discomfort.

Jared Walsh, who is out with a right intercostal strain, has been doing better. He has been able to hit and throw.

Maddon said he expects Walsh to be back before Trout or Rendon. Walsh is eligible to come off the injured list on Friday.

OHTANI UPDATE

Shohei Ohtani’s next start will not be for at least a few more days, Maddon said.

Ohtani was scheduled to pitch on Sunday, but it was pushed back because he was hit in the right thumb by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout on Wednesday.

Maddon said the Angels are targeting “the end of (the Texas series), at best, or the beginning of LA, at best.”

The Angels play four games in Texas, Monday through Thursday, and then a three-game series at Dodger Stadium starting on Friday.

Maddon said if they are on the fence between Thursday in Texas and Friday at Dodger Stadium, they would take into consideration that the Angels have a bigger advantage when they use Ohtani in a National League park. In those games, the Angels essentially start the game with nine hitters while the opponent has eight.

UP NEXT

Angels (TBD) at Rangers (RHP Dane Dunning, 4-7, 4.20), Monday, 5:05 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM