ANAHEIM — As Taylor Ward described what happened to his production lately, he didn’t even need to say the words to make his point.
“I just continue to turn the page on certain situations,” Ward said. “Just to have a better one thought. I started thinking in the wrong direction.”
After Ward made this indirect admission, manager Ron Washington was much more clear.
“I hate to go back to it, but he got hit,” Washington said. “Since he got hit, he’s been giving away the outside part of the plate and shying off the ball inside. And the only one to correct that is Taylor. Other that that, there’s nothing wrong with Taylor Ward. He’s just got to regain his courage.”
Ward was hit in the face by a pitch last July, requiring season-ending surgery to repair multiple facial fractures. From the start of spring training, the question hung over Ward over whether there would be lingering affects of the incident.
In the spring and early in the season, Ward had to duck out of the way of some inside pitches, but there was no evidence that it was causing a problem. He got off to a hot start and still producing an above average .773 OPS before the game of June 30.
Then, in the ninth inning, Detroit Tigers right-hander Shelby Miller threw a 93 mph fastball that hit Ward in the helmet. Although he was not injured, he was clearly affected.
Since then, Ward has hit .140 with a .376 OPS. He has 17 strikeouts and four walks in 47 plate appearances.
Ward had a double on Saturday night, which he said was an encouraging sign.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” he said on Sunday morning. “I’m getting back to where I want to be. Just continuing to try to move past it.”
Washington, who admitted that he never suffered the kind of injuries that Ward did from a pitch hitting him in the head, said that there’s nothing he can say that will help.
“It’s going to be up to Taylor to be able to dig in there and be Taylor, and not give in to pitchers throwing up and in because they know they can come up and in,” Washington said. “You got to learn when they come up and in to get his toehold. I’m not moving.”
Infielder Luis Rengifo (wrist inflammation) hasn’t started any baseball activity. Washington said he may begin taking some swings after the break. ….
Washington said Mike Trout (torn meniscus) can still make his goal of returning by the end of July. “In Trout’s mind, he believes that, and he’s doing everything he can to do it,” Washington said. Trout has been doing some light running and swinging, but no sprints or cuts. “What he’s got to do is get out in the outfield, chase balls, stop throw, twist, turn, come sit down and go back out there and do the same thing,” Washington said. “Once he gets that under his belt. Hell be ready.” …
Infielder Luis Guillorme was a late scratch from Sunday’s lineup because of back tightness.
Angels (TBD) at A’s (TBD) at Oakland Coliseum, 6:40 p.m. PT Friday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.
