Angels OF taken to hospital after getting hit in face by pitch

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward is taken off the field on a cart after being struck in the head by a pitch. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Angels OF taken to hospital after getting hit in face by 91 mph pitch

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 7/29/23

A scary scene unfolded Saturday in Toronto. was not a particularly good day for the Los Angeles Angels.

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward was struck in the face by a 91 mph zinger from Toronto starter Alex Manoah.

It happened in the fifth inning on a 2-0 count with the bases loaded.

Scary moment as Taylor Ward takes an Alek Manoah pitch up high. pic.twitter.com/4BJZ77GCgA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 29, 2023

Ward immediately dropped to the ground and remained down for several minutes as trainers tended to him. He was clearly bleeding and had a towel over his face before a cart eventually came out and took him off the field. Angels insider Jeff Fletcher offered the following update:

Taylor Ward is still at the hospital undergoing tests. No further updates on him available yet.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 29, 2023

There is no official timeframe on how long Ward will be sidelined. Losing him for any amount of time would be a problem for the Angels as they try to clinch an American League playoff spot.

The Angels are already playing without one of their best hitters as Mike Trout remains sidelined. L.A. went on to lose the game, 6-1.

Losing Ward would only add to their problems offensively. He has been one of their best hitters since the start of July, owning a .304/.424/.623 slash line. He has also hit five home runs during that stretch. He and Shohei Ohtani have been two of the hitters carrying the Angels offense in Trout's absence.

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