Zach Neto is heading back to the Angels.
The 23-year-old shortstop was spotted at Long Beach airport Thursday, lining up perfectly with the team’s plans to activate him Friday after missing the entire season so far following offseason right shoulder surgery.
Neto cleared his final hurdle this week by playing consecutive games at shortstop for Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s the culmination of a 13-game rehab assignment where he hit .286 with four homers, three doubles and eight RBI.
“He’s been fine,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Got hit yesterday on the wrist, but he’s fine. So far, so good. He’s on track to be where he should be when it’s time for him to come back.”
The Angels have desperately missed Neto’s dynamic presence. He established himself as one of baseball’s most exciting young infielders last season, slugging 23 home runs and stealing 30 bases. That production has been impossible to replace during his absence.
Neto initially injured his shoulder on a slide into second base during a steal attempt late in the 2023 season. The team opted for surgery this offseason rather than risk ongoing issues.
Washington has been impressed with Neto’s approach during rehabilitation but wanted him to complete the full process before returning.
“He’s just champing at the bit to get back,” Washington said. “He really wants to get back and we want him back. We’ve 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’s return gives the Angels a much-needed boost as they try to climb back into contention. His combination of power and speed provides Washington with versatility in both the lineup and on the basepaths that’s been sorely missing.
The Angels are expected to make the move official before Friday’s game, according to MLB.com.
