Angels’ Taylor Ward returns to the lineup after avoiding a serious knee injury

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward is back in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Texas Rangers. He will play third batter and left field against Texas Rangers and starting pitcher Max Scherzer in Game 2 of the three-game series:

MLB.com Angels sports reporter Rhett Bollinger shared the news on Monday via Twitter/X that Ward is expected back after avoiding a serious knee injury over the weekend:

Ward was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs after crashing into the outfield wall at Wrigley Field. He was substituted as a pinch-runner after sliding knee-first in foul territory.

The only visible result of the collision was knee soreness for the 30-year-old outfielder. After missing much of last season due to facial fractures sustained in a hit by pitch, Ward has a batting average of .238/.322/.419 with a .741 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBIs and 76 hits in 320 at-bats in 76 games.

The right-hander has spent his entire career with the Halos. Although his time in Orange County hasn’t been all success or injury luck, he has been a solid player for the Halos.

The Angels selected Ward in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. Once the Halos’ top prospect in 2016, Ward remained in the organization’s top 10 throughout the 2017 season.

Ward is a hitter with a career average of .252, 66 home runs, 211 RBIs and an OPS of .758.