LaMonte

Wade Jr.

After several strong seasons with the Giants, the 32-year-old saw his offensive production fall off of a cliff in 2025 — slashing a meager .167/.271/.254 with two homers, 18 RBI and a 58/27 K/BB ratio over 242 plate appearances between the Giants and Angels. It’s a nice low-risk signing for the White Sox, as he can be an on-base machine if he’s able to regain his prior form.

Wade Jr. slashed just 169/.260/.215 through 73 plate appearances with the Angels after latching on with the club following his release by the Giants. Someone will give him a shot based on previous success, but he’ll assuredly be looking at a “prove it” deal with whatever club adds him.

Wade Jr. entered the game in the first inning after Nolan Schanuel got hit in the wrist. Wade had a 106.5 mph single in the fourth inning before adding a 108.5 mph big fly that traveled 422 feet. He hasn’t gotten much of a chance to play in Los Angeles, but he could be the starting first baseman if X-rays were to come back with bad news for Schanuel.

The Halos will get Schanuel a breather with left-hander Patrick Corbin toeing the slab for the Rangers. LaMonte Wade Jr. will start in his place at first base and bat ninth for the Angels on Thursday evening in Los Angeles.

Mike Trout still isn’t seeing any outfield time, so Soler, who missed two weeks with back inflammation, will have to contribute as a right fielder for now. He’s been quite the liability to this point, having hit .207/.280/.350 with about as many strikeouts (79) as total bases (83) in 265 plate appearances. LaMonte Wade Jr., who has been seeing most of the time in right field of late, will likely be more of a bench guy now.

It’s a rare off day for Schanuel, who is spared from having to face Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, after going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts during Monday’s series-opening win. He went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and four RBI during Sunday’s loss to the Astros. It’ll be LaMonte Wade Jr. taking over at first base with Gustavo Campero getting a turn in right field.

Soler missed time earlier in the week due to a groin injury so it’s likely that they’re taking a cautious approach and easing him back into full-time action. LaMonte Wade Jr. will start in his place in right field and bat seventh for the Halos against Tomoyuki Sugano and the Orioles on Saturday evening in Baltimore.

Ward will get a rare day off to open the series against Baltimore. The 31-year-old will get a break with LaMonte Wade Jr. handling left field and hitting seventh against Charlie Morton and the O’s.

Taylor was hit on the hand by a pitch last night, though he stayed in afterwards and there was no indication after the game that it led to an injury. A fractured hand is typically at least a four- to six-week injury, though it could be less for Taylor if it’s a hairline fracture. This isn’t the way the Angels were intending to make room for the newly acquired LaMonte Wade Jr. on the roster, but it works out that way all the same. Matthew Lugo was probably in line for a demotion, but he gets to stick around now.

The 31-year-old was designated for assignment by the Giants on Wednesday so they were willing to flip him for anything that they could get at this stage. Wade will stay on the west coast and add a versatile left-handed bat to the Angels’ bench. He was hitting a meager .167/.275/.271 with one homer and 15 RBI in 169 plate appearances with the Giants.