Neto will miss Opening Day, but shoulder rehab ahead of schedule

MESA, Ariz. -- Shortstop Zach Neto is ahead of schedule in his recovery from his November right shoulder surgery, but he won¡¯t be ready for Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27, manager Ron Washington said Thursday.

With exactly one month to go until the regular-season opener, Washington confirmed what was already anticipated, as Neto was expected to miss part of the season after the surgery anyway. But Neto progressed to hitting on the field on Wednesday, has been taking grounders at short and has been throwing three days a week from 60 feet.

¡°I don't think he's gonna make Opening Day,¡± Washington said. ¡°It may be soon after, but I don't think it's gonna be Opening Day. And when I say soon after -- that could be a week after, that could be two weeks after, it might be a month. But we want him to keep continuing to progress. We're not gonna force it.¡±

Neto, 24, was the club¡¯s best player in 2024, leading the team with 5.1 wins above replacement, per Baseball-Reference. He slashed .249/.318/.443 with 23 homers, 34 doubles, 77 RBIs and 30 stolen bases in 155 games before injuring his shoulder on a slide into second base in Chicago on Sept. 26. Neto tried to rehab his injury for a month but ultimately had to have surgery.

Neto said he doesn¡¯t regret waiting a month before getting the operation because that¡¯s what a doctor advised, as there was a chance he¡¯d be able to rehab his shoulder without surgery. But now he¡¯s feeling stronger by the day and is just listening to the club¡¯s trainers.

¡°I feel good,¡± Neto said. ¡°I'm ahead of schedule and trying to do everything I can to get back as soon as possible. But the biggest thing is to come back as healthy as possible. Not only looking at short-term, but for long-term, hopefully not having any setbacks. But the decision is not on me, it's on the training staff.¡±

Neto still has some restrictions, as he¡¯s not throwing across the diamond during infield drills and he hasn¡¯t faced live pitching or slid into any bases. He said he has to be more mindful about sliding headfirst into second on stolen base attempts, as that¡¯s how he sustained the injury and will practice sliding feet first more often.

¡°If it was up to me, I¡¯d say I'd be ready by Opening Day,¡± Neto said. ¡°But that's why [the trainers] get paid, and that's why they're in the spots that they are to make sure that I come back and there's no other setbacks when I come back. So, I trust them.¡±

With Neto out, Washington pointed to Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery and Tim Anderson as options at shortstop. Newman is considered the favorite after signing a one-year deal with an option for ¡¯26, while Kingery is on the 40-man roster after being acquired in a trade with the Phillies and Anderson signed a Minor League deal. Luis Rengifo, who is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Friday after missing time due to illness, is not considered an option, as he¡¯ll see most of his action at second, third and the outfield.

¡°We¡¯ve got TA, we¡¯ve got Newman, we¡¯ve got Kingery,¡± Washington said. ¡°These are the guys that we think can handle the situation until Neto returns. As far as us making a decision on that, we haven't made that decision yet. We're going to continue to build them up, and at some point we will make that decision. Right now, we're trying to get everybody reps.¡±

Angels tidbits

? Washington returned as manager after missing three days due to illness. Bench coach Ray Montgomery filled in for Washington from Monday to Wednesday.

? Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz missed his scheduled start against the Cubs on Thursday because he missed time during the week when he was sick. Kochanowicz, who is competing for the final spot in the rotation with lefty Reid Detmers and right-hander Chase Silseth, is expected to pitch in a simulated game on Friday at the club¡¯s complex. Right-hander Caden Dana, ranked as the No. 78 overall prospect by MLB.com, made the start instead.

? Closer Kenley Jansen and top setup reliever Ben Joyce have yet to appear in Cactus League action, but Washington said they¡¯re both healthy and will pitch in games soon. He said both pitchers only need a handful of Spring Training outings to get ready for the season.