ANAHEIM, Calif. _ Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon missed a second consecutive intrasquad game Saturday because of oblique muscle soreness _ and he could miss several more.
Rendon was not available to speak to reporters about the injury, but he relayed through a team spokesman that his oblique is "fine." He also said he would not play Sunday.
It is unclear whether Rendon will be available for the season opener Friday in Oakland against the Athletics, Angels manager Joe Maddon said.
"When I hear these things, 'day-to-day oblique,' you just (have to) be patient," he said. "And that's it. I don't even want to create conjecture because I really don't know.
"I want to believe he's gonna be ready. But if not, we're gonna have Plan B ready."
Rendon tweaked his side muscle while batting in a game Wednesday. Neither he nor any expected starters played in a simulated game the next afternoon. He was expected to play Friday but was scratched from the lineup.
Tommy La Stella and David Fletcher can play third base should the Angels need to make do without Rendon, who is in the first year of a seven-year, $245-million contract with the team. Luis Rengifo could serve as their backup, but he will need to overcome hamstring tightness he developed after joining team workouts Thursday. He missed about 10 days of practice for undisclosed reasons.
