Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) is ramping up to join the team after offseason shoulder surgery. After missing spring training, he started his rehab last Tuesday and has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with two home runs, five RBI, four walks, and seven strikeouts in six games. He has progressed to the point where he is playing in the field after starting as just the designated hitter. On Sunday, he had both a home run and a stolen base. He's getting up to full speed and may still need more time, but a return in mid-to-late April seems realistic, which was a best-case scenario coming into the year. If he's available, he's a great stash off the waiver wire, and if he's on your bench, he should be ready to contribute sooner rather than later.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will play shortstop for the first time on Friday night in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Salt Lake, according to play-by-play announcer Tony Parks. Neto looked great during workouts during the week and has been cleared to play defense as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The 24-year-old middle infielder has already played in three games with the Bees as the designated hitter and has gone 3-for-13 with a home run, double and two RBI. As long as Neto doesn't suffer a setback with his surgically-repaired shoulder as he returns to action on defense, he should be ready to come off the 10-day injured list at some point next week to make his 2025 season debut with the Halos. The former first-rounder hit 23 homers and stole 30 bases in 155 games in his first full MLB season in 2024 and should be stashed in all fantasy formats as he nears his return.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) homered in a rehab game for Triple-A Salt Lake City on Thursday. Neto opened the season on the injured list after having surgery on his right shoulder last November. He began his rehab assignment on Tuesday and will serve as the team's DH for now as the team has no timetable on when he will be able to play defense. Neto hit 23 homers in 2024 while hitting .249 as he nears a return to the big leagues.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday evening. The 24-year-old is working his way back from offseason surgery. Shortly before Opening Day, Angels manager Ron Washington noted that there is not a "defined" date for his return. However, given that Neto will begin rehab assignment this evening, suggest that his return may be sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his production with Triple-A Salt Lake, as he could return as early as next week. Last season, the former first-round pick enjoyed a solid campaign, hitting 23 home runs and swiping 30 bags. He held a .249/.318/.443 slash line. When healthy, Neto should be viewed as a solid low-end No. 1 shortstop in category formats given his ability to hit for power and carry stolen base upside.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto underwent right shoulder surgery and will start the season on IL, and manager Ron Washington said there is "no date" for his return since he is still not ready for game action. Since Neto did not play in spring training, he will likely need a minor-league rehab stint before making his season debut. Last year, the 24-year-old hit .249 with 23 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 155 games with the Angels. He'll look to build on that momentum in his second full season in the majors once he recovers from his shoulder surgery. Until he's ready, Kevin Newman is expected to fill in the position for Los Angeles.
Zach Neto Ahead Of Schedule In Recovery From Shoulder Surgery
The Sporting Tribune's Jack Janes writes that Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) has been able to do just about every defensive drill in camp that the rest of the team is doing outside of throwing. His throwing program didn't allow him to throw across the diamond until he reached 120 feet, which he accomplished this past week. The 24-year-old finally started throwing to first base last Sunday and said his arm is feeling good. Neto has also been swinging the bat in batting practice and in the cages as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery that will cause him to start the 2025 season on the injured list. "Honestly, I feel really great with my shoulder and where it's at. I'm feeling way stronger since when I first walked in here," Neto said. Kevin Newman is expected to start the year as the team's starting shortstop, but it might not be long before Neto makes his 2025 debut.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) was seen taking soft grounders and throwing to second base on Saturday. Even though Neto will not be ready for Opening Day, it appears his absence will not extend through much of April. During the offseason, the infielder underwent shoulder surgery but could be nearing the end of his recovery plan. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team hopes he can make his 2025 debut sometime in April. Last season, Neto enjoyed a breakout season as he went deep 23 times and added 30 stolen bases. He posted a .249/.318/.443 slash line across 155 contests. The former 13th overall pick generated a low .236 xBA which suggests he may face some regression when he returns. Fantasy managers should target Neto as a low-end No. 1 shortstop in standard rotisserie leagues as he can contribute to all five standard categories.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to manager Ron Washington. It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Washington said he hopes to get Neto back at some point in the first month of the 2025 season. Neto had surgery on his right shoulder last November but started his throwing progression last week. The 24-year-old will be right on schedule to make his season debut at some point in April if he's able to get into Cactus League games near the end of spring training. With Neto set to open the year on the injured list, Luis Rengifo, Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery are all competing for playing time at the 6 for the Halos. Rengifo should be an everyday player regardless, as he can also fill in at third and second base. Although Neto isn't a household name at shortstop in fantasy, he did hit 23 homers and steal 30 bases in 2024.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) has started his throwing progression after having surgery on his right shoulder last November, according to manager Ron Washington. General manager Perry Minasian previously said that Neto wasn't expected to start throwing until later on in spring training, so it appears he's currently ahead of schedule. However, there remains no firm timetable for when the 24-year-old will be cleared to play in games, so he's still very much a candidate to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Despite Neto's recovery from shoulder surgery likely seeping into the regular season, he's worth a late-round pick in fantasy drafts after breaking out in 2024 in his first full big-league season to the tune of a .249/.318/.443 slash line, 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 30 steals and 70 runs scored. He ranks as RotoBaller's No. 25 fantasy shortstop.
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said on Friday that he expects outfielder Mike Trout, designated hitter Jorge Soler and outfielder Taylor Ward being his top three hitters in some order during the 2025 regular season. It's also possible that one of the trio will bat in the cleanup spot. Shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder), meanwhile, is expected to hit fifth or sixth in the batting order. Neto had right-shoulder surgery last year and is expected to start the season on the injured list, but barring a setback, his absence shouldn't extend too long into April. The 24-year-old hit second late last season with Mike Trout (knee) out, but Trout is returning from injury and Soler will now occupy a spot near the top of the lineup, which will push Neto down. Neto loses a little fantasy appeal because of his injury, but he's still not a bad middle-infield target in the later rounds after he had a 20-30 campaign in his first full MLB season in 2024.
