Angels outfielder Taylor Ward was placed on the injured list on Wednesday, the day before Opening Day, although the team has not yet released the nature of his injury.

Ward made a sliding catch in right field in the bottom of the third inning on Tuesday night. He did not come to bat in the top of the fourth, and then Brandon Marsh replaced him in right field in the bottom of the fourth.

Ward was in line to get significant playing time as a part of a three-man rotation for the two corner outfield spots, along with Jo Adell and Marsh.

Ward’s injury certainly helps the case for Jose Rojas to be on the Opening Day roster, because Rojas could also play the corner outfield spots.

Prior to Ward’s injury, the Angels appeared to be deciding between a 10th reliever, Rojas or Michael Stefanic. Now they could keep the reliever and Rojas, or Rojas and Stefanic. Stefanic is not on the 40-man roster, though, so the Angels would need to clear a spot.

This play happened in the bottom of the 3rd. Ward didn’t bat in the top of the 4th, but then he was removed for the bottom of the 4th. pic.twitter.com/MjwgpenXyY

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 7, 2022

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