Angels News: Zach Neto Officially ‘Pain Free’ as He Rehabs Back Injury
The Angels continue their last-ditch effort to make a push toward the postseason, and now they could be getting a solid piece back soon. Shortstop Zach Neto is set to begin his rehab assignment soon, but the team is going to be cautious with him.
He is scheduled to resume baseball activities this week, according to Angels manager Phil Nevin. However, the team wants to make sure that the issues don’t linger down the line.
“Nevin said that Neto is now “pain-free,” but the Angels are still going to move cautiously with him. “This is going to be on our pace this time,” Nevin said.”
He has been out for a few weeks dealing with back tightness, and the team could really use him out there. The 22-year-old has been a key member of the team this season when on the field, so it’s important to get him back sooner rather than later.
For the season, Neto is hitting .241 with eight home runs and 30 runs batted in. The rookie has been limited to just 67 games this season, but the hope is that he can return for the stretch run.
This isn’t the first time that Neto has been hurt this season, so it makes all the sense in the world to make sure that he is fully healthy before rushing him back.
“Neto was out for four weeks with a strained oblique and then he missed three or four days at a time with the back injury, without going on the injured list. The Angels finally shut him down when he wasn’t improving.”
If they could get their shortstop back, it would be massive to their already slim chances. The team has dug themselves into a large hole in the standings, and now they are looking for different ways to climb out.
It won’t be easy, but with games left to play, never say never.
