Angels Ditch Injury-Prone Rendon, Hand Starting Job to Yoan Moncada for 2025 Season
In a bold move that signals a shift at third base, the Los Angeles Angels have decided to hand the starting role to Yoan Moncada, sidelining the injury-plagued Anthony Rendon. On Wednesday, the Angels secured Moncada with a one-year, $5 million deal, and just days later, Jon Heyman reported that the 30-year-old will be the team’s opening day third baseman.
Moncada, entering his tenth MLB season, has faced his own injury struggles—playing just 12 games in 2024 due to a left adductor strain. However, despite his own setbacks, Moncada has been more consistently available than Rendon, who has never managed more than 58 games in a season since joining the Angels in 2020.
While Moncada’s injury history is far from ideal, his bat has proven capable when healthy. With a career OPS+ of 106 and a standout 140 OPS+ in 2019, Moncada brings more offensive upside to the table than the often-injured Rendon. The Angels’ decision marks a clear indication that they are ready to move on from Rendon’s unfulfilled potential and make Moncada their everyday third baseman moving forward.
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