The Los Angeles Angels reinstated outfielder Taylor Ward from the paternity list on Friday and optioned third baseman Charles Leblanc to the minors in a corresponding move. The Angels haven't released their starting lineup yet for Friday's series opener in D.C. against the hosting Washington Nationals, but Ward should return to his starting duties in left field while batting in the middle of the order after missing the series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees this week. Outside of some modest power numbers (16 home runs), the 30-year-old Ward has had a pretty low ceiling on a bad Angels team in 2024. Since the All-Star break, he's homered twice while going 14-for-61 (.230), adding two doubles, 11 RBI, five walks and 20 strikeouts in 16 games played. Only three of his 16 homers this year have come off lefties, so he's not particularly attractive in DFS on Friday evening.
The Los Angeles Angels placed outfielder Taylor Ward on the paternity list on Tuesday and reinstated infielder Anthony Rendon (back) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Ward will be away from the Angels for a few days and will miss the series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees this week before most likely returning on Friday for the series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals. Ward is useful for his power (16 home runs) for outfield depth in fantasy leagues, but he doesn't provide much else on a bad Angels team. He's currently slashing .228/.309/.395 with a below-average .704 OPS and 55 RBI in 109 games played. With Mike Trout (knee) and Luis Rengifo (wrist) both out for the year, Ward isn't going to have much protection in the heart of the Halos' batting order the rest of the year.
Angels Listening To Offers On Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo
The Los Angeles Angels are listening to trade offers on outfielder Taylor Ward and utility man Luis Rengifo, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Rengifo is under team control through 2025 and Ward through 2026. Feinsand further emphasized that many front-office executives believe that the two players will be dealt by Tuesday's deadline. Ward enjoyed a nice start to the summer through May with a .268/.33/.469 line but has cooled off since June 1 with a much lower .168/.277/.292 line. However, he holds a 13.5% barrel rate and 42.9% hard-hit rate, which suggests he should be turning the corner very soon. Rengifo is on pace to set career highs in most statistics with a .304/.347/.426 slash line and an eye-catching 23 swiped bags. Both players will be very useful for a team looking to compete this fall and should provide the Angels with a solid package of prospects.
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+.
