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Angels’ Taylor Ward out with multiple facial fractures

July 30, 2023

TORONTO — Taylor Ward suffered multiple facial fractures after being hit in the head with a pitch on Saturday, and that amounted to good news.

Manager Phil Nevin said all the tests on the Angels outfielder showed that there was no damage to his eye.

“It’s the best possible news we could get after what happened,” Nevin said Sunday, adding that Ward was in “good spirits” when he saw him on Saturday night, at the hospital and later at the hotel after he was released.

The Angels aren’t sure when Ward will be back, or even if it will be this season. Ward remained at the Angels hotel on Sunday. He was placed on the injured list on Sunday, replaced by infielder Kevin Padlo.

Nevin also said that Ward was contacted by several players around the majors, including some who had suffered similar injuries.

“I think that gave Taylor some peace of mind that he will be back and be as good as he was,” Nevin said.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah, whose pitch hit Ward, also communicated with Ward, Nevin said.

“Alek feels terrible,” Nevin said. “You saw his reaction on the mound. Certainly there was never a moment where we’re thinking he’s trying to hit him at all. That’s not what happened. You feel for someone like that on both ends. You know, it’s tough to go through. It’s a complete accident. We know that there’s no ill will, but he reached out. He wanted to talk to Taylor.”

As the Angels turn their attention to putting a lineup together without Ward, they have no easy solutions for the outfield.

Mike Trout, who is recovering from surgery to remove a fractured hamate bone, is still not swinging a bat, although that could begin in the next few days. Jo Adell, who is out with a strained oblique, still hasn’t started baseball activity.

When Nevin was asked why the Angels called up Padlo instead of a true outfielder, he said: “We talked about a few guys.”

Nevin made it clear that their priority at the moment is offense.

“The most important thing is to get the best bats in there as we can,” Nevin said. “We’ll figure out the defensive side. I know that’s not what you want to do with it, but to be able to score enough runs, we’re gonna have to put them in the right places and maximize what we can do offensively.”

Luis Rengifo, who has been hot at the plate for more than a month, can play outfield. Brandon Drury, who is expected to come off the injured list on Thursday, can also play the outfield.

On Sunday, the Angels put Trey Cabbage in center, with Mickey Moniak in left and Hunter Renfroe in right. Nevin said Cabbage is more comfortable in right or center than left, and they didn’t want to move Renfroe.

All of this might only be an issue for another two weeks or so, until Trout comes back. The Angels also might be able to swing a trade for an outfielder to plug the hole until Trout returns.

“We’ll make it work,” Nevin said.

BOUNCING AROUND

Right-hander Chase Silseth is a reliever again, the latest change in a tumultuous season.

Silseth began the season as a starter in Triple-A. He came to the big leagues and found some success in relief. The Angels then moved him back to the rotation, back to the bullpen and then back to Triple-A to start. He came up to the majors to start, and now is headed back to the bullpen because of the Angels’ acquisition of Lucas Giolito.

“It’s not a bad thing,” Silseth said. “I’m just keeping my foot on the pedal, just competing at the end of the day. I’m excited to go out and pitch.”

Silseth eliminated a couple pitches from his repertoire when he was down at Triple-A the last time, and Nevin said he thinks that will make him more effective in whatever role they choose.

“I know how I want to attack hitters, lefties and righties,” Silseth said. “Hopefully I can come in and get that uptick in velo and and keep it. Just stay in my mechanics instead of just letting it rip.”

DEFENDING THE TRAINERS

Watching how Angels athletic trainers Mike Frostad and Eric Munson handled Ward’s situation on Saturday prompted Nevin to acknowledge how they have come under fire because of the team’s rash of injuries. Nevin said they don’t bear any responsibility for the injuries.

“They’ve been outstanding,” Nevin said. “I know they’ve taken some heat, which I take personally. I don’t like hearing that stuff. Injuries happen. When guys get hurt, they treat them. It’s just the way it is. Some teams have more than others and it’s certainly not their fault that guys get hurt. But they’ve treated them and gotten them back on the field as best they can.”

NOTES

Moniak’s hitting streak ended at 18 games on Saturday, so on Sunday he showed up to the ballpark with a buzz cut. Moniak said he had wanted to get a haircut earlier, but didn’t want to do it while he was in the middle of a hitting streak. …

The Angels currently have 17 players on the injured list, the most in the majors.