ST. LOUIS -- Angels shortstop Zach Neto will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake Tuesday night.
Neto will only serve as the DH for the Bees as they play at Albuquerque, and he will remain in that role for the time being. But it is a significant step for the 24-year-old as he continues to recover from the right shoulder surgery he underwent in November.
Neto is expected to play every day with no limitations in the DH role. There is no timetable for when he will be cleared for defensive activities.
¡°Zach Neto [will] let us know by the way he handles himself out there catching the ball, being in positions, getting cut-offs and relays when he'll be ready,¡± Angels manager Ron Washington said. ¡°But right now we're starting him off at DH, and we'll just see how it goes.¡±
Neto hit .249 with 23 home runs and 77 RBIs last season. Washington said the reports on his swing out of Minor League Spring Training have been positive.
¡°A couple of days ago he had a home run, and I think everyone's phone lit up,¡± Washington said. ¡°Dropped some bunts, got some walks. He's fine swinging the bat. Once we can get him to playing shortstop and moving around and making all the plays under competition, then we'll see how long it takes him to get back.¡±