Angels' Rendon says injury a fractured tibia, not a bone bruise - ESPN

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Anthony Rendon, speaking publicly for the first time in two months, revealed Friday that he has been diagnosed with a fractured tibia by doctors outside the purview of the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have consistently described Rendon's injury as a deep bone bruise.

Asked why the Angels didn't initially announce his injury as a fractured tibia, Rendon said, «You got to ask them.»

Angels general manager Perry Minasian didn't respond to a request for comment. A source close to the team told ESPN that Rendon initially saw four doctors — two chosen by the Angels, two chosen by Rendon's side — that diagnosed him with a deep bone bruise. A fifth doctor diagnosed him with the fractured tibia. Rendon, who didn't provide details on the process, said the fracture diagnosis occurred while the team visited his hometown to play the Houston Astros during the second week of August.

Rendon's agent, Scott Boras, said Rendon's doctors and the Angels' medical staff have nonetheless been «in line» with his treatment plan, denying that there is a disconnect between the two sides.

«We talked about when he did it, how bad the bone bruise was, that it's similar to even what a fracture is,» Angels manager Phil Nevin said. «Bone bruise, fracture, either way, he's unable to play right now, and we're trying to get him back to where he is.»

Rendon, 33, initially suffered the injury while fouling a ball off his lower left leg in San Diego on July 4 and has only started to take part in light baseball activities in recent weeks, hitting off a tee and doing some light running exercises. If Rendon doesn't return before the end of the regular season — a long shot, given that the Angels' final game is two and a half weeks away — he