Angels' Taylor Ward Bloodied After Running Face-First Into Astros Fence

An Angels player was left seriously bloodied after running into the metal scoreboard in the outfield, facing the Houston Astros.

Chasing a hit to deep left by Houston's Ramon Urias, Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward collided with the metal scoreboard at Daikin Park, fell back, and immediately called for help after suffering a massive gash above his right eye.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 31: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels is tended to by medical staff after an injury in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on August 31, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 31: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels leaves the game on a cart after an injury in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros  at Daikin Park on August 31, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

Angels reliever Andrew Chafin urgently applied a towel to Ward's face, rushing over to his teammate moments after he crashed into the scoreboard near the Crawford Boxes.

Ward required a cart and was removed from the game, prompting Angels interim manager Ray Washington to insert Christian Moore at second base and shift Luis Rengifo to the outfield to replace Ward.

Montgomery, the skipper filling in for Ron Washington, said Ward left the stadium in an ambulance to receive sutures for his bloody cut, per Jeff Fletcher of the OC Register.

"The bottom line, and I've talked about this before, but there should be no out-of-town metal scoreboard anywhere on the baseball field," teammate Jo Adell said. 

"It's the big leagues. Like this is ridiculous. A guy goes back to make a play, and he's got to worry about a metal fence. That's crazy."

Some fans voiced outrage toward MLB for allowing the Astros' stadium to place metal infrastructure in a risky area of the outfield during live action.

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 30:  Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (3) strikes out in the top of the second inning during the MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros on August 30, 2025 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"Thoughts and prayers for Taylor Ward. That field should be either changed or banned, totally unsafe. Shame on you MLB for allowing it to be built that way," one fan posted on X.

"Taylor Ward dude….. prayers I know that s**t hurt," another fan added.

Ward entered Sunday’s contest ranked in the top 10 in runs batted in among American League sluggers. 

Back in 2023, he suffered a frightening injury against the Toronto Blue Jays when a fastball from Alek Manoah struck him near his left eye, leaving him with multiple facial fractures. In 2024, Ward was also hit in the head by a pitch but avoided serious injury and remained in the lineup.

The Halos beat the Astros, 3-0, on Sunday, but may be losing Ward for several games, pending further evaluation.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angels in the dugout during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 24, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela