Overview
- Ward is under team control through 2026 before free agency, while the Angels hold Rodriguez’s rights through 2029.
- Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season with elbow inflammation and a right lat strain and had elbow debridement surgery in August.
- An Angels spokesman said Rodriguez is expected to be ready for spring training.
- Ward, 31, set career highs in 2025 with 36 home runs, 103 RBIs and a .475 slugging percentage in 157 games, and he is projected to earn about $13.7 million in arbitration.
- The one-for-one swap adds a right-handed power bat to Baltimore’s 2026 lineup needs as Los Angeles acquires a controllable starter and opens space in a crowded corner outfield mix.