Three Key Los Angeles Angels Placed On Restricted List Ahead Of Toronto Series

Here we go again. A new team comes to Rogers Centre to play the Toronto Blue Jays, and their group of unvaccinated players gets outed. For the Los Angeles Angels, they lose three important players (in a decidedly unimportant season for them). 

Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera and Taylor Ward are the #Angels on the restricted list.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 26, 2022

Relievers Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera hit the restricted list, without pay, as does outfielder Taylor Ward. 

For most Angels fans, two of them are not a surprise.  

loup "unapologetically country as hell" makes so much sense, not that surprised about tepera... BUT WARD?? 😭 https://t.co/tXJRQjZsO6

— stina💫 (@IasteIla) August 26, 2022

Could not be less surprised about Loup and his "My Truck" walkup song. Tepera is eh but WARD?!?!?!?!? https://t.co/5jE1fEkxPU

— Patrick Sandoval for CY (52-110) (@Kanyu_Halos) August 26, 2022

Ironically, both Loup and Tepera are former Blue Jays as well. But based on their most recent performances in Toronto (Loup: 1.52 WHIP in 2017, Tepera: 4.98 ERA in 2019), they certainly won't be missed by Rogers Centre fans.  

This brings the list to well over 40 players across baseball who've had to be placed on the restricted list due to their unvaccinated status. But the Angels' list pales in comparison to the Kansas City Royals, who were without 10 players when they made their way to Toronto, and the St. Louis Cardinals, who were without their two biggest bats in Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado for their games at the Rogers Centre. 

Both the U.S. and Canada have border regulations that forbid unvaccinated non-residents from entering their countries. Same rules apply in either direction. The Blue Jays' non-Americans, however, have all got the shot, so this issue never comes up for them when they travel.

Photos: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports, Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports