Taylor Ward returns to Mariners’ lineup for Game 2 vs Brewers

The Seattle Mariners received a key return on Wednesday with Taylor Ward back in the lineup for the first time in a week.

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Ward, who has missed the club’s past five games with leg soreness, is batting eighth as the designated hitter as Seattle continues its three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers, who hold MLB’s best record at 78-48.

The 32-year-old Ward is set for his ninth game with the club since being acquired in a Aug. 3 trade from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reliever Alex Hoppe and minor league pitchers Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling.

It’s been a struggle at the plate for Ward so far in his Mariners tenure. In 32 plate appearances, he’s batting just .156 (5 for 32) with a .375 OPS, one triple, six strikeouts and no walks. Before being acquired by Seattle, Ward led the American League with 87 walks.

You can see the rest of the Mariners’ lineup against right-hander Dustin May below.

Game 2 in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/oBNx8ih99M

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 19, 2026

Right-hander Logan Gilbert is set to take the mound for Seattle. The Mariners are 5-2 in Gilbert’s seven starts since the beginning of July, which includes a 1-0 win over the New York Yankees last Thursday when he tossed six shutout innings.

First pitch of Wednesday’s game between the Mariners and Brewers is set for 4:40 p.m. at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins with the pregame show at 3:30 p.m.

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