Angels' Taylor Ward Injured After Crashing Into Left‑Field Scoreboard; Teammate Jo Adell Criticizes Daikin Park Design

Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels was injured Sunday after crashing into a metal out‑of‑town scoreboard in left field at Daikin Park and was subsequently removed from the game, a play that prompted public criticism of the stadium’s design from teammate Jo Adell.

The incident occurred in the eighth inning when Astros infielder Ramón Urías hit a fly ball to left. Ward ran in on the play and collided with the metal scoreboard that sits in left field, with the sound of the impact audible on the television broadcast. Ward signaled immediately for medical attention, and he was tended to on the field before being carted off. Angels relievers Andrew Chafin and Kenley Jansen ran out of the bullpen with towels and assisted teammates in attending to Ward as trainers worked on the outfielder.

"New York Post photo"

The impact left Ward bleeding and covering his face as he exited the field. Video of the collision circulated on social media, drawing immediate attention from fans and commentators. Broadcast audio captured the collision, and teammates were visibly alarmed as they signaled for trainers and prepared for Ward to be removed from the playing surface.

After the game, Angels outfielder Jo Adell publicly criticized the configuration and condition of the field at Daikin Park, saying the placement and construction of the scoreboard presented a hazard to players. The comments reflected concerns raised in the immediate aftermath of the play about the proximity and nature of the fixed structure in play territory. The Angels had not released a detailed medical update on Ward’s condition by the end of the broadcast.

"New York Post photo"

The play unfolded with the Astros at bat in the late innings of the series finale in Houston on Aug. 31, 2025. Ward had been playing left field for the Angels when Urías hit the ball that led to the collision. Ward’s sudden and forceful impact into the metal structure prompted immediate concern from his teammates and the Angels’ dugout, and the team’s on‑field trainers responded promptly.

Angels relievers Andrew Chafin and Kenley Jansen were among the first teammates to reach Ward, bringing towels and assisting in shoring up the injured outfielder before the medical staff took over. The use of towels to cover Ward’s face on the field was visible on the broadcast and in still images shared after the game.

"New York Post photo"

Daikin Park, the Astros’ home stadium, features an out‑of‑town scoreboard that has been built into the left‑field area. The placement of fixed structures within or adjacent to play areas has drawn scrutiny in other venues in the past, though stadium designs vary widely and are governed by league rules and local engineering standards. The Angels’ immediate focus after Sunday’s game shifted to Ward’s health and to comments from players about the circumstances of the collision.

The Angels did not immediately release a medical update following the game, and the club had not provided an official statement on whether they would pursue any formal review of the stadium’s field design. The Astros organization also had not issued a statement by the close of the broadcast.

Eyes will remain on official team updates concerning Ward’s condition and any potential follow‑up from Major League Baseball regarding the play area at Daikin Park. In the short term, the Angels will address the absence of Ward from the lineup as they prepare for upcoming games, while the broader conversation about player safety and stadium design is likely to continue as teams and the league assess risks associated with fixed structures near playing surfaces.

As of the end of Sunday’s game, Ward had been removed from the field and transported for further evaluation. The circumstances of the collision and the visible reaction of his teammates and broadcasters underscored the immediate concern for the player’s welfare and prompted calls from within the Angels organization for a reassessment of the left‑field configuration at Daikin Park.