Angels News: Zach Neto Scratched from Lineup With Injury

The Halos young shortstop's injury troubles continue.

Zach Neto's been one of the Los Angeles Angels' bright young stars in 2023.

The Halos first-round draft pick from just one year prior quickly advanced through the minor leagues and he soon found himself taking at-bats not in Madison, Alabama or Salt Lake City, Utah, but getting those hacks in under the bright lights of Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

For a player that moved so quickly through the minors, Neto has been anything but overwhelmed since he arrived in the big leagues.

The 22-year-old had been playing with the poise of a veteran, with a slick glove at shortstop and a slash line of .251/.325/.427 at the plate.

But for as good a year as Neto's having in the show, he's been bothered by a nagging injury of late.

Neto's back stiffness started last week and kept him out of the Angels lineup over the past few days.

Manager Phil Nevin gave him an extra day off recently, and he was in the lineup for game two of the Angels doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

But unfortunately for Neto, his full return to action has hit a snag, as he was scratched from Friday's lineup, according to The Athletic's Sam Blum.

Zach Neto was scratched again with back stiffness.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 28, 2023

So Neto won't be starting in their series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays to begin the weekend, but hopefully for both him and his team, it represents a minor setback rather than a more concerning problem.

First pitch of Friday's game is scheduled for 4:10 PM PT and Lucas Giolito will be making the start in his Angels debut after the pitcher was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.