Angels’ Jo Adell Critiques Daikin Park After Taylor Ward’s Injury

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell has voiced strong concerns regarding the safety standards at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros’ home base, following an alarming incident where teammate Taylor Ward sustained an injury while making a play.

Incident Overview

During the eighth inning of a recent game, Ward was positioned in left field when he made an aggressive attempt to catch a ball hit by Astros infielder Ramón Urías. Unfortunately, Ward collided with a metal out-of-town scoreboard, resulting in a loud crash that was clearly audible to those watching the broadcast. He immediately signaled for medical assistance after the impact.

• Injury Details:
  • Ward was treated on the field by Angels trainers and seemed to be in significant pain.
  • Relievers Andrew Chafin and Kenley Jansen rushed to assist Ward, covering his head with towels.

Watch the alarming moment here.

Adell’s Outspoken Critique

Following the 3-0 victory for the Angels, Adell didn’t hold back on his criticism of the stadium’s design:

“There should be no out-of-town metal scoreboard anywhere on the baseball field. It’s the big leagues. This s–t is ridiculous. A guy goes back to make a play, and he’s got to worry about a metal fence. That’s crazy.”

Adell emphasized that players should not have to worry about fixed structures while making plays.

Aftermath of the Collision

Interim manager Ray Montgomery provided updates post-game, stating that Ward might require stitches due to a cut above his eye. He also expressed concern regarding potential concussion symptoms:

• “It looked like something on the wall may have clipped his eye or cut his eye. I’m hoping he’s fine,” Montgomery stated.

Even though Ward’s immediate condition was not confirmed, there was relief that he wasn’t bracing for the impact when he collided with the scoreboard.

Final Thoughts

The incident at Daikin Park has sparked a larger conversation about player safety and stadium design. The concern from Adell and others calls into question how ballparks are set up and highlights the need for improvements to ensure the welfare of players.

For more information on player safety and stadium regulations, check out the MLB Safety Guidelines.

As the Angels move forward, the hope is that Ward recovers quickly and that changes are made to enhance the safety of players in the future.