After suffering facial fractures from a hit by pitch last July, Los Angeles Angels ' outfielder Taylor Ward is good to go from the outset of spring training.
Per Trent Rush of the Angels Radio Network:
Angels OF Taylor Ward will be “good to go, day one.” Ward was hit by a pitch last July, suffering three facial fractures & a broken nose requiring surgery.
Ward has been hitting in cage since Nov 15 & had last checkup in Anaheim just over a week ago.
First are foremost, it's good to see Ward physically healthy. It will also be worth monitoring how he is mentally once he steps in the box against real pitching. It's not always easy to come back from an incident like that, but here's to hoping that he does perfectly.
The 30-year-old Ward will be a big part of the Angels batting order, especially with Shohei Ohtani having moved on in free agency. Mike Trout, Ward and Anthony Rendon would appear to be the pieces that the Angels will build their lineup around in 2024.
After having his season shut down last year after 97 games, Ward ended up hitting .253 with 14 home runs.
Lifetime, he's a .255 hitter with 52 home runs. His power really began to show in the 2022 season when he hit 23 homers and drove in 65.
The Angels finished fourth in the American League West a season ago and figure to remain a cut below the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners.
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