ANAHEIM — Zach Neto makes no promises, but he seems intent on trying to change the way he slides to avoid further injury to his shoulder.
After doing some drills sliding feet first on Saturday afternoon, the Angels’ shortstop said he hopes it translates into games.
“I was telling the training staff and coaches, I’m gonna try it,” Neto said. “I’m going to try to practice it. Try to put it in my head. But at the end of the day, when I’m running, it’s whatever is the first thing that pops up. Instinct. If it’s head first, or feet first, just trying to do whatever I can to be safe. That’s the biggest thing.”
Neto first hurt his right shoulder on a head-first slide last September. That ultimately required surgery. He was hurt again on a slide on Tuesday night, although the MRI exam showed no structural damage and he is expecting to be back within a few days.
Interim manager Ray Montgomery said seeing Neto try to slide feet first was encouraging.
“He hasn’t done it as much as the other way, so we want to make sure before he goes out there that he’s comfortable it,” Montgomery. “In a perfect world, given what’s happened (he would slide feet first). In the same breath, we understand in the context of the game as it’s happening, we’ll see what happens.”
Neto also did some throwing on Saturday, getting up to 120 feet. He said everything “felt normal.” Neto has been doing his entire normal hitting routine for a couple days. He pinch-hit on Friday night.
As for when he could return to the starting lineup, the target seems to be on Tuesday in Atlanta.
“I’m hoping,” Neto said. “I’m hoping I get a good night’s sleep today, tomorrow and Monday, and hopefully by Tuesday, maybe even tomorrow, get in the game. It’s all whatever Ray says. And I’m going to be completely honest with him.”
FERMIN UP
The Angels recalled right-hander José Fermin and designated right-hander Hector Neris for assignment.
Fermin, 23, gave up five runs in 9⅓ innings, with 15 strikeouts, in two earlier stints in the majors. Fermin, who also missed time with an elbow impingement this season, has 28 strikeouts in 15 innings in the minors this season, with a 3.00 ERA.
Neris had a 5.14 ERA in 14 innings with the Angels after he was released by the Atlanta Braves in the first week of the season.
“Hector was great for the time he was here, in terms of what he brought to bullpen, settle down some of the young kids, gave a veteran presence,” Montgomery said. “But when Fermin is here, obviously, he’s part of what’s going on going forward. And unfortunately, that’s just part of the game. Somebody has to be replaced.”
NOTES
Outfielder Jorge Soler (back tightness) took batting practice on the field for the first time since going on the injured list. Soler said he’s also run and done defensive drills. He said, through an interpreter, that he could be activated “possibly soon.” …
Third baseman Yoán Moncada (right knee inflammation) continues to do everything except hit right-handed.
UP NEXT
Nationals (LHP Mitchell Parker, 5-8, 4.59) at Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz, 3-8, 5.49), Sunday, 1:07 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM