Angels News: Jared Walsh Describes 2023 Season as 'Starting Over' After Neurological Battle

It might take a while for Walsh to get his footing under him

The Los Angeles Angels came into the 2023 season hoping to clinch their first postseason appearance in nine years. They liked their odds to do so with their new additions and returners. However, things didn't go as planned for the Halos in spring training when their infielder Jared Walsh had to miss some time due to neurological issues he was battling with. 

Walsh missed the first two months of the season as he was doing all he could to overcome those issues he had been struggling with for a long time. He's back and has been doing better but he is still not 100%. Still, it's nice to have him back on the diamond, even though he hasn't been the Walsh we've all become accustomed to. 

The 29-year-old spoke to Oc Register's Jeff Flecther and said he's still trying to find his footing with the team. 

“I think taking two months off, without doing a ton of baseball stuff, and trying to hit these guys on a nightly basis has been tough,” Walsh said on Saturday, drenched in sweat from a session in the batting cage. “Don’t really have many pretty stats to look at up on the scoreboard. It feels like kind of starting over.”

(via OC Register)

And, he's not wrong. Through 26 games, Walsh is slashing .125/.253/.234 with a .487 OPS which is a far cry from his 2021 All-Star season where he had a .849 OPS. 

It hasn't and it won't be an easy btask for Waslh to get back to where he wants, but he understands that and will continue to control what he can.  

“In terms of the controllables, I think I’ve done a good job,” Walsh said. “I’m still working hard. I think I’m being a good teammate. Bringing a good attitude. But there’s no question, when your batting average is .110, looking at the scoreboard is difficult. I just try to be real conscious of what information I take in. I understand I haven’t lived up to my potential and there’s expectations and I haven’t met those yet. But it is what it is. I’ve just got to go about my business the right way and hope things turn soon.”

We're with Walsh all the way through, and we're confident he will find his groove soon.