The Los Angeles Angels are home on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants, and are in the midst of a four-game losing streak after being swept by the Texas Rangers. But returning home for just the second time in their first 19 games is not the only good news, as Zach Neto could provide a much-needed boost.
Neto has been rehabbing with Triple-A Salt Lake over the last couple weeks. He played 13 games at the Triple-A level recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery. Manager Ron Washington had hinted that Neto would play the maximum 20 days of his rehab assignment, but was spotted at Long Beach airport on Thursday and trends have been pointing towards a return on Friday.
It would be a massive boost for L.A., as Angels shortstops have combined to hit just .140/.169/.158 with a double and three RBIs through the club’s first 17 games. Neto slashed .286/.397/.592 with a .988 OPS with the Salt Lake Bees.
Washington spoke about Neto’s expedited return, and how it speaks to the shortstop’s eagerness to help the Angels immediately, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“He’s just champing at the bit to get back,” Washington said. “He really wants to get back and we want him back. We just been having good conversations about his workouts, what he’s feeling. But I just think when you commit to something — that’s just me now — when you commit to something, you see it out. You see it all the way through. That purpose for that period of time is there for a reason. And I just think you see it all the way through, but I don’t make that call.”
Neto is one of the core pieces of the Angels franchise, as he is just 24 years old and has already shown year-to-year improvement. And a return on Friday could be a perfect boost at the right time for a team on a four-game slide.
The likely roster casualty is Nicky Lopez, with playing time hits also likely coming for Tim Anderson and Kevin Newman.
Angels play three-game series vs. Giants
The Angels prepare for a three-game set with the Giants, who have been one of the hottest teams in baseball to begin the season. Below are the dates, times and pitching matchups for the set in Anaheim.
Friday, April 18, 6:38 p.m. PT: Logan Webb vs. Tyler Anderson
Saturday, April 19, 6:38 p.m. PT: Landen Roupp vs. Kyle Hendricks
Sunday, April 20, 1:07 p.m. PT: Justin Verlander vs. Yusei Kikuchi
