Taylor is on the list of injuries due to a broken hand Wade Jr. is on the 26-man list

Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. joined the Los Angeles Angels after Monday's trade with the San Francisco Giants and officially joined the team's 26-man roster ahead of today's game against the Athletics, but Chris Taylor, the Angels' tool man, has been placed on the 10-day injury list with a fractured left hand.

Wade, who was traded to Angels for a later date or in cash after being named last week, was not in the starting line-up against the Athletics but is expected to get playing time in two corner outfield positions in the future, especially with superstar Mike Trout still not ready to play as a right fielder. Trout, who returned on May 30 after a month-long absence from surgery for a bone contusion in his left knee, will continue to play as a designated striker before being cleared to play in right field.

"It feels great," Wade Jr. said, "and I'm just happy and excited to be here." Just want to come and work hard and help in any way possible. I definitely keep a positive mindset. Whenever you get the chance to wear a major league jersey, it's very special. It's not the ending I wanted in San Francisco. I wish I could do more, but I'm embracing this new opportunity and getting ready to get to work. ”

So while Wade Jr. was excited to join his new team, it was a tough day for Taylor. Taylor has recently started to pick up on the hitting end after being released by the Dodgers on May 18 and signing with the Angels on May 26.

The 34-year-old batted at 0.200 in 10 games, with one home run, three second-run hits and 3-pointers, until yesterday when he was hit in the hand by Athletics rescue pitcher Tyler Ferguson in the eighth inning. He stuck through the ninth inning in a 7-4 win for the Angels, but post-game X-rays revealed fractures. There is currently no timetable for his return.

"He's just had some bad luck all the time, and it's been happening," said manager Ron Washington, "so now all he can do is recover." But in baseball, something like this happens, and the next guy has to step up. ”

The 31-year-old Wade Jr. will be counting on a replacement for some of his output, as he has just become a fan favorite in San Francisco after five years of strong performances with the Giants, especially because of his heroic performances in key moments. But he's struggled on the offensive end this year, hitting a 0.167/0.275/0.271 batter in 50 games, with one home run, eight second-run hits, two third-run hits and 15-point bits and 15-point bouts. But he's still been solid in 2023 and 2024, hitting a combined 0.258/0.376/0.401 batting triple in 252 games, with 25 home runs, 30 second-run hits and 79 RBIs.

"There's a lot of season left," Wade Jr. said, "and I believe I started the season with too long steps. Just trying to shorten it a little bit. Just have more stick awareness and hit the ball on target more. But it all starts with step size and staying in control. ”

He also had to adjust to playing in the outfield, as he played primarily first base with the Giants this year. The Angels have put Nolan Schanuel firmly on first baseman and will have Wade Jr. playing in the outfield. Jorge Soler has been nursing groin tightness for the past week but started in the right field on Tuesday. Wade Jr. said he did some extra training in the outfield before the game to prepare for what the Angels were asking of him.

"I feel good about it," Wade Jr. said, "I haven't been there in a while, but I came here today and did some early training and I'm just going to work hard to get better there." It's just been a while. Just need to go back there and get reps. ”

Wade Jr. also joked that it was a crazy coincidence that he is now teamed up with right-pitcher rescue pitcher Shaun Anderson, as the two were traded to each other in 2021. Wade Jr. was sent from San Francisco to Minnesota, while Anderson traveled from the Giants to the Twins. Anderson was just called up to serve as a long relay on Monday.

"I saw him earlier in the gym," Wade Jr. said, "and I told him it was a full loop. We were traded to each other in 2021 and now we're back on the same team. You never know what your plans are in this game. ”