"I had a wonderful time being in Anaheim, playing in Anaheim. … It's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Ward said.

Rodriguez has been out with injuries since the middle of the 2024 season, but the Angels say the right-hander will be ready for the start of spring training. Ward is coming off a season with

Rodriguez, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 draft, hasn't pitched since July of 2024, as he missed a chunk of time with a lat strain and tightness in his throwing shoulder, then missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing debridement surgery on his right elbow to remove bone spurs. So there's legitimate injury concern here.

The Royals have been reportedly interested in Taylor Ward as far back as the summer of 2024, when they were making their push for the playoffs with an offense full of holes. The team has been unable to patch those holes up so far,