Even though Zach Neto has limits, he is capable of many things that others might never imagine performing on a baseball field. Neto is one of the finest hitters in the game, covers ground in the field with the best of them, and is a shrewd player. Fans may become a little emotional when the shortstop is hit by a pitch and then exits the game since he is the team’s most valuable asset.
Neto wore a 78 MPH changeup from Nick Martinez on his wrist during the third inning of the Angels’ series finale against the Cincinnati Reds. Neto grounded out a few innings later and was obviously hurt by the impact. Despite Neto’s antics, fans prayed that his removal from the game was a precaution. Hey, at least Martinez changed things up instead of Hunter Greene giving him a triple-digit heater!
Angels fans left holding their breath after Zach Neto exits another game with injury
In front of The OC Register’s Jeff Fletcher, Neto declared, “I feel pretty good.” “Just hurting at the moment. a little weak, but that’s the normal outcome of being struck. After the game, Neto was in a terrific mood because the x-rays showed no evidence of a break. For the Angels supporters and the team’s public face, the negative was positive.
It goes without saying that the Angels must get Neto back into the lineup as soon as possible to avoid seriously hurting their chances of winning the league. It would be cruel if Neto missed even one of the team’s next series against the Chicago Cubs, who now own the fifth-best record in MLB. But in order for Neto to fully regain his strength after the team’s off day, the Angels will probably need to give him an additional day or two. Running him out there in some last-ditch competition is not worth the danger.
Fans of the Angels are becoming weary of seeing Neto leave games due to injuries. Neto had already hurt his shoulder after slipping headfirst into a bag twice. The 24-year-old missed about a month of games and all of 2025 spring training the first time it occurred, during a game against the Chicago White Sox last season. He had surgery on his throwing shoulder.
Because of circumstances beyond his control, Neto continues to abandon games, forcing Angels supporters to beg the baseball gods to let him be. Not to mention the Anthony Rendon incident, Mike Trout has been evoking similar emotions in his supporters for years. Really, it’s all rather frustrating.
