The Pittsburgh Pirates are in on Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward and are working on a deal to acquire him before the July 30 trade deadline, according to sources. Ward would most likely move over to right field if he landed in Pittsburgh, replacing Joshua Palacios. Although Ward is batting a mediocre .238 (77-for-324) on the year, he does have 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 43 runs scored in 324 at-bats for a bad Angels team. While the Pirates may not necessarily be looking towards a postseason run this year, Ward is attractive because he's cheap and is under team control through the 2026 season. The rebuilding Angels are most likely looking for a couple solid prospects in return. If Ward were traded, Kevin Pillar would become a regular in left field in Anaheim, at least until Mike Trout (knee) returns from his injury.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers. Ward will make his return to the lineup after missing one game due to a right knee contusion. He's back in left field and batting third versus right-hander Max Scherzer on Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Ward rostered can get him back in their lineups. However, it's hard to trust any hitter against an elite pitcher such as Scherzer.
Angels Likely To Hang Onto Taylor Ward, Tyler Anderson, Griffin Canning
The Los Angeles Angels are expected to trade relievers Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia, but unless they receive overwhelming offers this summer, they will likely hang onto outfielder Taylor Ward and starting pitchers Tyler Anderson and Griffin Canning. Anderson's stock is on the rise after allowing only three hits in eight shutout innings in his last start on Saturday at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. All three players remain under team control through at least the 2025 season. Ward banged up his knee crashing into the outfield wall in Sunday's loss to the Cubbies and was held out of Monday's lineup against the Texas Rangers, but he expects to return on Tuesday. The 30-year-old is hitting just .238 (76-for-320) on the season but does have 14 home runs, 44 RBI and a .740 OPS and will get more protection when Mike Trout (knee) returns, hopefully at the end of July.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (knee) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Texas Rangers. The veteran outfielder will get the day off after banging up his knee during Sunday's game. Luckily, it sounds like a minor issue that will likely only cost Ward one or two games. In his absence, Kevin Pillar will bat third and play left field versus right-hander Jon Gray. Fantasy managers who have Ward rostered will need to adjust their lineups accordingly. UPDATE: Ward said he feels good on Monday and expects to be back in the lineup on Tuesday after banging his knee crashing into the brick outfield wall at Wrigley Field on Sunday.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (head) is back in the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the division-rival Oakland Athletics and right-hander Mitch Spence, playing left field and batting third in the order. Ward left Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers as a precautionary move in the bottom of the ninth inning after he was hit by a fastball in the head. Thankfully, the 30-year-old avoided a concussion and is back in the starting lineup after a scheduled day off on Monday. He's faced Spence only three times in his career and has one hit. Count Ward as a player happy to see the calendar flip to July, as he hit only .181 (15-for-83) with three home runs, six doubles, nine RBI, 14 walks, 26 strikeouts and a stolen base in 25 games in June.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward homered in Monday's 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics, his first dinger since June 11. Ward, who scored twice and walked in four plate appearances, has pulled down his fantasy managers in June, slashing .148/.303/.295 with six RBI and nine runs scored. The slump has taken his numbers for the season to .241/.326/.431 with 13 homers, 40 RBI, and 37 runs scored. Ward's power potential keeps him in the good graces of fantasy managers, who hope his home run on Monday is a sign his swing is trending upward. Since he remains on a near-30 home run pace and is also a potential trade candidate, Ward is a good fantasy option in most leagues.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward went 2-for-6 in Saturday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Rangers. Both of Ward's hits went for extra bases, one for a double and the other a solo home run. The home run was his tenth of the year, and the 30-year-old is looking like one of the better values in fantasy drafts this year after having an ADP in the 200s. On the season, the former first-round MLB draft pick has a .275-10-28-27-2 line with a .352 wOBA and 127 wRC+.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) and outfielder Taylor Ward are not starting for the Angels on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rengifo has been out since coming down with an illness on Saturday. Ward appears to be getting a regular day of rest. Cole Tucker is starting at third base and is batting eighth, while Kevin Pillar is in left field and is batting fifth against Pirates right-hander Quinn Priester. When Rengifo gets over his illness, he should be a lineup regular for the Halos due to injuries and the fact he's hitting .330 (30-for-91) with two homers, 11 RBI and nine stolen bases so far in 2024. Ward, who is batting .271/.302/.471 with seven home runs and 24 RBI, will be counted on for even more production in the heart of the team's batting order with Mike Trout (knee) out.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward continued his hot offensive start in Monday's 7-3 win over the Rays. Ward went 2-for-5 with a single, a two-run home run, and two strikeouts. The 30-year-old now owns a .313/.333/.612 slash line with six HR, 13 runs scored, and an impressive 19 RBI in 69 plate appearances. He is rostered in 78% of leagues, so Ward could still be available in leagues where fantasy managers are looking for a hot bat.
Taylor Ward Swinging A Hot Bat To Begin The Season
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward smacked his third home run of the season on Wednesday in a 10-2 thrashing of the Marlins. Ward also had a double in the contest, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. He's now 8-for-25 (.320) on the young season with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, and six runs scored. The 30-year-old is shaping up to be a value after having an ADP beyond pick 200 in fantasy drafts. He missed extended time last season due to injury, but in 2022 he hit .281-23-65-73-5 with a .362 wOBA and 137 wRC+ over 135 games. Those numbers seem well within reach in 2024 while hitting cleanup in an Angels lineup that may not be quite as offensively challenged as anticipated.
