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Ward went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored during Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Rangers.
Tuesday marks the first time that Ward has logged four hits in a game, and his impressive display of hitting puts him at a .300 batting average (6-for-20) through the first five games of the season. He's unlikely to continue at that pace after batting just .228 last year, but he should be able to make up for it once he rediscovers his power stroke.
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Orioles' Taylor Ward: In leadoff spot for opener
Rotowire
Ward will start in left field and bat leadoff in Thursday's opener against the Twins.
Jackson Holliday (hand) is likely to bat leadoff when he returns to action, but it will be Ward at the top of the batting order on Opening Day as the Twins send righty Joe Ryan to the hill. Ward sported a .425 on-base percentage for the Orioles during spring training, logging more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven).
Ward went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
It was the first homer of the spring for the 32-year-old, who's slashing a strong .250/.400/.500 with three doubles, six walks and one stolen base across 30 plate appearances covering 10 Grapefruit League contests. After coming over from the Angels in an offseason trade for Grayson Rodriguez, Ward is preparing to be Baltimore's everyday left fielder in 2026. Ward slashed .228/.317/.475 and set career highs in homers (36), RBI (103) and runs scored (86) over 663 plate appearances for the Angels last season.
Ward agreed to a one-year, $12.175 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The 32-year-old will receive a raise of over $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility after being traded from the Angels to the Orioles in November. Ward batted just .228 across 157 games in 2025 but set career highs with 36 home runs, 103 RBI and 86 runs.
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