The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder TAYLOR WARD from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ.
Ward, 31, slashed .228/.317/.475 (132-for-579) with 31 doubles, two triples, 36 home runs, 86 runs scored, 103 RBI, and 75 walks in 157 games last season, setting career highs in games played, runs, doubles, homers, RBI, walks, slugging percentage, extra-base hits (69), and total bases (275). He finished tied for fifth in the AL in home runs, ranked sixth in RBI, and seventh in walks and extra-base hits. Ward became the third Angel since 2018 to drive in 100 runs, along with Mike Trout (104 RBI, 2019) and Shohei Ohtani (100 RBI, 2021). Of his 36 home runs, 35 came as the left fielder, setting the team’s franchise record (since 1961) for that position.
Ward has spent his entire major league career with the Angels after being selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Fresno State University (CA). He became the 21st Angel to hit 100 home runs with the team on July 19, 2025 at Philadelphia, doing so in his 643rd game with the Halos. His six career grand slams, all hit since 2021, are tied for second most in the AL during that time.
Rodriguez, 26, was selected by the Orioles in the first round (11th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Central Heights (TX) High School. He missed the 2025 season with right elbow inflammation and a right lat strain. In two major league seasons with Baltimore from 2023-24, Rodriguez went 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA (109 ER/238.2 IP) and 259 strikeouts in 43 games started.
