Angels' Taylor Ward Provides Major Injury Update

In an interview with Trent Rush on the Angels Recap podcast, outfielder Taylor Ward provided the most significant update on his health since he suffered a season-ending injury last July.

When he was hit in the face by a pitch from Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah on July 29, Ward suffered three different facial fractures. He said the left side of his nose was “pretty crushed.” Three plates were inserted to stabilize the fracture and the bridge of his nose was reconstructed.

Ward would not play again for the remainder of the season.

Since then, he told Rush, “things started to slowly return to normal. It’s definitely been a crazy transformation from when I got hit to where I’m at now. The doctor did a great job with what he did, to be able to repair everything that happened. I’m pretty thankful.”

By all accounts, Ward indicated he should be a full participant in spring training. He has been hitting in a cage since Nov. 15, running, and feels as though he had a normal offseason. His last checkup in Anaheim was last week.

“It’s definitely been a slow, steady incline from when I first showed up in Arizona to start working out again, and building back up. I’m honestly just thankful that I’m past that now. I put my helmet back on, getting in the box and feeling good. Just super happy and ready to go.”

Ward batted .253 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs in 97 games last season. A slow start to the season hurt his overall numbers, but there were signs Ward was turning it around prior to his injury.

In 20 games in July, Ward slashed .304/.424/.623 with nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (14).

The Angels signed veteran outfielder Aaron Hicks as insurance in January. However, it sounds as if Ward will have a full spring training to get his timing back up to major league speed and hopefully pick up where he left off.