In a devastating turn of events, Los Angeles Angels' outfielder Taylor Ward suffered multiple facial fractures after being hit by a pitch from Toronto Blue Jays' starter Alek Manoah during the fifth inning of Saturday's game. The incident occurred when Ward was hit near his left eye with a 91 mph pitch with the bases loaded. The impact was so severe that Ward went down in the dirt, with his left eye appearing to be swollen shut. The Angels' training staff and other players rushed to his aid, and Ward was eventually carted off the field.

The news of Ward's injuries sparked concern and well wishes from fans and fellow athletes alike. Sportsnet tweeted their support for Ward, wishing him all the best in his recovery. The bad news is that Ward will be out for an undetermined amount of time and has been placed on the injured list due to his multiple facial fractures. However, there is some good news amidst the unfortunate circumstances. Angels' manager Phil Nevin announced that tests revealed no eye damage, which he described as the "best possible news we could get after what happened." Nevin visited Ward at the hospital and later at the team hotel, where he found the outfielder in good spirits.

Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays' pitcher responsible for the wayward pitch, expressed immediate regret and remorse for his actions. He called the incident a "terrible moment" and offered his prayers and support to Ward and his family. Nevin, too, harbored no ill will towards Manoah, stating that it was a complete accident and that there was never a moment where they believed Manoah was intentionally trying to hit Ward. Nevin commended Manoah for reaching out and expressing his desire to talk to Ward.

Despite the uncertain timeline for Ward's return, the Angels remain hopeful for his recovery. Ward has received support from other players around the league who have undergone similar injuries, which has helped raise his spirits. Nevin believes that this support has given Ward peace of mind, knowing that he will be able to bounce back from this incident. In the meantime, Ward will remain at the Angels' hotel while he recovers, and he has been replaced on the roster by Kevin Padlo.

The Angels entered Sunday's game five games behind the Blue Jays for the third wild card spot. However, they managed to avoid a sweep by defeating the Blue Jays 3-2 in extra innings. The Angels' victory serves as a glimmer of hope amidst the somber news surrounding Ward's injuries. As the team moves forward, they will undoubtedly keep Ward in their thoughts and continue to support him throughout his recovery.