Rendon impresses after late start to spring

Walsh, Adell hit back-to-back jacks; Iglesias, Loup make first appearances

March 23rd, 2022

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Third baseman Anthony Rendon made his Cactus League debut against the Rockies on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the Angels’ 7-4 win at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Rendon was a late arrival to camp for family reasons and was a few days behind the other position players. But he made the most of his debut, batting third behind Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. The trio helped the Angels score three runs in the third inning after the bases were loaded with nobody out.

Ohtani reached on an run-scoring error by second baseman Brendan Rodgers, Trout plated a run with a sacrifice fly and Rendon followed with an RBI single to left field.

“He looked great,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said of Rendon. “And he wanted to be out there for five innings. I talked to him this morning and he thought it was time. He thought maybe if it was some long early innings, he might not play five, but it was relatively quick.”

Despite the late start to Spring Training, Rendon is expected to have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day, on April 7 against the Astros. Fellow infielder Matt Duffy has yet to make his debut, after signing a one-year deal worth $1.5 million on March 16. Duffy could be in the lineup as soon as Wednesday against the Padres in Peoria.

First baseman Jared Walsh also got his first hit of the spring, a two-run homer off right-hander Stephen Jones. Jo Adell, who is competing for a spot in the outfield, followed with his second homer of the spring, a no-doubter on a 3-2 fastball.

Iglesias, Loup make their spring debuts
Closer Raisel Iglesias and left-hander Aaron Loup both pitched in their first Cactus League games of the season on Tuesday, with Iglesias throwing a scoreless inning with one strikeout and Loup giving up two runs on three hits in one inning. Iglesias was re-signed to a four-year deal worth $58 million, while Loup signed a two-year deal worth $17 million that includes an option for ’24.

Loup gave up two runs in his outing, which is more than he gave up in any of his 65 appearances with the Mets last year. He never gave up more than one run in any of his appearances and finished the year with a 0.95 ERA in 56 2/3 innings.

“Iggy looked really good,” Maddon said. “I know Loup gave up a couple runs, but I don’t care. He looked really good.”

Stassi, Mayers and Wade agree to terms
The Angels avoided arbitration with catcher Max Stassi, reliever Mike Mayers and infielder Tyler Wade ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to exchange figures. Stassi agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million, while Mayers agreed to one-year deal worth $2.15 million, and Wade agreed to a one-year pact worth $825,000. Stassi, Mayers and Wade were the club’s only players eligible for arbitration this year.