On Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, there was a concerning incident involving Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward. In the fifth inning, Ward was struck by a fastball from Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah, resulting in a frightening hit-by-pitch incident.

The fastball, recorded at 91.6 mph, hit Ward’s helmet’s ear flap before making contact with his nose, causing him to collapse on the ground with his helmet flying off. The sight was distressing for everyone on the field, with Manoah and other players visibly shaken by the incident.

The Angels’ medical team quickly rushed to attend to Ward, who eventually had to be taken off the field on a cart. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the crowd at the Rogers Centre showed their support and appreciation for the injured player with a loud ovation.

Taylor Ward has been a crucial player for the Angels this season, ranking second in games played after Shohei Ohtani. His performance at the plate has been respectable, with a .254/.335/.424 batting line and 14 home runs in 406 plate appearances before the game on Saturday.

As of now, the exact extent of Ward’s injury remains unclear, causing uncertainty for the team. Considering the Angels’ recent decisions to retain Ohtani and acquire pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López, losing an everyday player like Ward for an extended period would be a significant setback for the team’s playoff aspirations.

The Angels are currently holding a record of 54-50, sitting six games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West and trailing the final wild-card spot by four games. As they continue to compete for a postseason berth, the news of Ward’s injury has cast a shadow of concern over the team’s prospects.