Angels Infielder Zach Neto Provides Update on Elbow Injury

May 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) watches his two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports | Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels can breathe a sigh of relief.

Two days after Zach Neto exited a game in Houston early because of an elbow injury, an MRI on the shortstop revealed that he is dealing with inflammation. Neto told reporters the good news Friday in Anaheim in advance of the Angels' weekend series against Cleveland.

Zach Neto said he had an MRI that showed just inflammation. He’s going to go try to test it throwing during stretch today.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 24, 2024

Zach Neto said he just had inflammation in his elbow, per an MRI from yesterday.

He was so relieved, he said he slept 13 hours last night.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) May 24, 2024

Whenever a player injures his elbow, the first concern always centers around whether or not there is structural damage in the joint. Although surgery is not always necessary, any course of action in response to structural damage takes longer than the rehab process if no structural damage is present.

Neto told reporters after Wednesday's game in Houston that he did not believe the injury was serious. Fortunately, his initial diagnosis was correct.

After a trying April in which he slashed .239/.286/.380, Neto improved markedly in May. Through 20 games this month, he's slashing .279/.338/.515 with four home runs.

The 23-year-old is not in the lineup for Friday's series opener. Kyren Paris, whose first career home run was the decisive blow in Wednesday's game, is starting at shortstop in Neto's place.

Paris is hitting .138 (8 for 29) in 11 games this season.

The Angels (20-30) have won five of their last seven games coming into the homestand.