Angels 3B Anthony Rendon suspended, fined for fan altercation

Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon will have to sit out for five games after MLB suspended and fined him for grabbing an A’s fan by the jersey and attempting to slap him.

Anthony Rendon’s hot head got him into trouble last week when he got into it with an A’s fan during the Angels‘ opening series of the season. Now it looks like he’ll miss the second series all together.

MLB announced a five-game suspension for the third baseman, who grabbed a trash talking A’s fan by the jersey and took a swing trying to slap the man on Opening Day.

Rendon will have the opportunity to appeal. If he does, he could still take the field for the Angels on Monday against the Mariners. However, if he opts not to appeal, his suspension will begin immediately.

UPDATE: Rendon appealed and successfully got his suspension reduced to four games.

He also faces additional legal action because of an investigation by the Oakland Police Department.

MLB statement on Anthony Rendon suspension

"“Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon has received a five-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for his actions involving a fan last Thursday, when his Club played the Oakland Athletics. Michael Hill, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President for On-Field Operations, made the announcement.“Unless appealed, the suspension of Rendon is schedule to begin tonight [Apr. 3], when the Angels open a road series vs. the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. If Rendon elects to appeal, then the discipline will be held in abeyance until the process is complete.”"

While an appeal is possible, a reduction for the suspension feels unlikely. As Bob Nightengale pointed out, Amir Garrett received a three-game suspension for tossing water on a fan last year. Taking a swipe at an opposing fan was always going to warrant at least that much time out and likely more.

This is the second five-game suspension for Rendon in the past year. He had to sit five games for his role in a brawl between the Angels and Mariners. He struck Jesse Winker after the outfielder charged the dugout after a HBP.