Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is entering his fifth year of a seven-year, $245 million contract he signed before the pandemic-impacted 2020 season. Aside from the 52 games he played in 2020 when the season was shortened to just 60 games, Rendon hasn’t played more than half of a season with the Angels due to injuries.

He appeared to be healthy entering the 2024 season and spoke to reporters about his enthusiasm for playing baseball. He said it’s remained the same throughout his career, but he doesn’t put the sport on the top of his priority list. Rendon said, “This is a job. I do this to make a living. My faith, my family come first before this job.” According to The Athletic, he mentioned how he found a pros and cons list from 2014 deep in his email box. It was his second season with the Washington Nationals, and he led the league in runs scored that year, earning some National League MVP votes along the way.

Between 2014 and 2024, Rendon said his priorities have differed. He noted that getting married and having four children has changed his perspective, but he also emphasized that baseball remains a priority — even if it isn’t his top priority. “It’s a lot different. I’m married. I have four kids,” he said. “My priorities have changed since I was in my early 20s. So, definitely, my perspective on baseball has been more skewed.”

Since joining the Angels, he’s played in 200 games. He’s hit .249 with 23 home runs. Los Angeles could really use him to step up this season and remain healthy, as the team lost Shohei Ohtani in free agency. The Angels signed Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in December 2019 as he was coming off a World Series title with the Washington Nationals. The two-time Silver Slugger hasn’t played more than 58 games in any of his four seasons with the Angels because of injuries.