On Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Angels were dealt a huge blow when Taylor Ward exited the game after taking an Alek Manoah pitch to the head. Ward, the Angels’ starting third baseman, had been a key contributor to the team’s success this season.
The incident occurred in the top of the fourth inning when Manoah, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, threw a pitch that struck Ward in the helmet. Ward immediately dropped to the ground and was attended to by medical personnel. After a few minutes, he was able to walk off the field under his own power.
The Angels medical staff later diagnosed Ward with a concussion. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation and is expected to miss at least a week of action. This is a huge blow for the Angels, who are currently in the middle of a tight playoff race in the American League West.
Ward has been one of the Angels’ most consistent hitters this season, batting .290 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. His absence will be felt in the lineup, and the team will have to find a way to replace his production.
The Angels have yet to announce who will replace Ward in the lineup, but it is likely that they will call up a minor leaguer to fill the void. The team will also need to find a way to cope with the emotional loss of their starting third baseman.
It is always unfortunate when a player is forced to leave the game due to injury, and this is especially true for Taylor Ward. The Angels will certainly miss his presence in the lineup and hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
