Seattle Mariners Rival Loses Starting Shortstop Zack Neto to Surgery, Could Miss Part of 2025

The Mariners really struggled against the Los Angeles Angels in 2024, but it's the Angels who could be struggling at the outset of 2025.

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) reacts after injuring himself during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Sept 26. / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels have been incredibly active in the early days of the MLB offseason. First, they traded for slugging outfielder Jorge Soler and then traded for former top prospect Scott Kingery. They also signed longtime Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks to a one-year deal.

However, the offseason took a negative turn on Friday when it was announced that starting shortstop Zack Neto might miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Per Rhett Bollinger on social media:

SS Zach Neto had shoulder surgery on Wednesday and there's a chance he could miss the start of the season, GM Perry Minasian said. It's the shoulder he injured on a slide in Chicago late in the season.

#Angels SS Zach Neto had shoulder surgery on Wednesday and there's a chance he could miss the start of the season, GM Perry Minasian said. It's the shoulder he injured on a slide in Chicago late in the season.

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) November 8, 2024

You never want to root for injury, and we wish Neto well in his recovery. However, it's a known fact that anything that makes the Angels worse is inheritantly good for the Seattle Mariners.

Neto hit .249 this past season with 23 homers and 30 stolen bases. He posted a 113 OPS+, making him an above average player for the M's rivals.

The Mariners did a good job holding him in check in 2024, as he hit just .194 against Seattle. He had just two home runs and five RBI against the M's in 13 games.

The Mariners famously went 5-8 against the Angels this year, which was a major reason why they missed the playoffs by 1.0 game for the second consecutive year.

The Mariners went 85-77 overall and finished second in the American League West.

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