Taylor Ward eager for homecoming against Angels – Orange County Register
ANAHEIM — Taylor Ward knew he was going to be in for a bizarre expertise, even earlier than stepping on the sector at Angel Stadium.
Ward performed the primary 704 video games of his main league profession with the Angels. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in Novembermaking this week’s sequence one thing of a homecoming.
“I haven’t been out there yet, but once I do I’m sure it’s going to bring back so many memories of everything I did here and the time I had here,” Ward mentioned earlier than Monday’s recreation. “It was great. It should be fun tonight.”
Ward had by no means been within the visiting crew’s clubhouse at Angel Stadium, and he anticipated even the view from the opposing dugout could be unusual.
He mentioned he was shocked when he first heard of the deal.
“As I thought more of it and looked more into the team, I was getting really excited to report to spring training and meet the guys and just help the team win over there,” Ward mentioned. “It’s been great. The guys have been just as great as the guys over there (the Angels).”
Ward got here into the sequence hitting .255 with a .748 OPS. He had hit solely 4 dwelling runs via Sunday, actually feeling the influence of the left discipline fence in Baltimore being deeper than in Anaheim.
RODRIGUEZ UPDATE
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, the opposite half of the Ward commerce, will miss the sequence against his former crew as a result of he is on the injured checklist with decrease again irritation. He however mentioned he is feeling good about his restoration after one week.
Rodriguez mentioned he threw “a short bullpen” and he is planning to throw from the mound once more on Tuesday. He has continued throwing all through the week he is been on the injured checklist.
“A lot better,” Rodriguez mentioned. “Just going day by day. Feels so much better than it did a week ago. Definitely going in the right direction with that.”
Rodriguez has been on the IL twice this season, and each occasions he is barely taken a break from throwing. That means that the accidents weren’t that critical, however the Angels had been attempting to be additional cautious with a participant who has missed a lot time with accidents.
“I guess just trying to make sure that nothing severe happens,” Rodriguez mentioned. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been activated, or been active, so just trying to make sure we can keep all this stuff under control.”
Rodriguez pitched 116⅔ innings in the majors in 2024, and then none in 2025. He’s already thrown 25⅔ in six begins this season. The Angels, who’ve Rodriguez underneath management for three extra seasons after this one, seemingly need to rebuild him slowly after final 12 months.
SOLER IS BACK
DH/outfielder Jorge Soler returned to the lineup after lacking 16 video games with a left indirect pressure.
Soler didn’t go on a rehab task and even face any dwell pitching. Manager Kurt Suzuki mentioned Soler did some “enhanced BP,” by which he did not know what pitches had been coming.
“It’s a good stabilizing force in the cleanup spot, having Georgie back in the lineup,” Suzuki mentioned. “Obviously with the experience, the power, the type of hitter he is. It’s nice to have a veteran presence in the lineup. With Mike (Trout) out, that’s a good thing to have.”
The Angels designated Nick Madrigal for task to open a spot for Soler. Madrigal hit .273 with a .680 OPS in 15 video games with the Angels. He might nonetheless stay within the group if he clears waivers.
NOTES
Christian Moore was not within the beginning lineup on Monday. He was within the lineup 3 times in his first 5 video games within the majors this season. “He’s going to play,” Suzuki mentioned. “He’s going to move around. Obviously, he played some left field in Salt Lake and second base. We all know that. Maybe some third base. We’ll try to do our best to put him in situations to succeed, but also he’s not going to sit for three, four days in a row. The guy’s going to play.” …
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder irritation) did some throwing on flat floor within the outfield. Kikuchi mentioned his plan is to throw a bullpen session in 10 to 14 days and face hitters across the All-Star break. …
First baseman Trey Mancini elected free agent. The Angels designated him task for final week. If Mancini does not discover a higher supply, he might nonetheless return to the Angels on a minor-league deal, although.
UP NEXT
Orioles (RHP Shane Baz, 4-7, 4.04 ERA) at Angels (RHP Ryan Johnson, 0-2, 12.83 ERA), Tuesday, 6:38 pm, ABTV, 830 AM
