The Angels can’t afford to suffer any more injuries if they hope to make a serious run at the playoffs this season. They’re already missing Yoán Moncada, Jorge Soler, Robert Stephenson, and Chris Taylor, and staying healthy is essential if they want to climb the standings in the American League. Unfortunately, something troubling happened during their second game against the Red Sox that could spell disaster for their playoff hopes. While there’s no official update yet, the incident involving Zach Neto is enough to leave Angels fans extremely concerned.
Zach Neto exits the Angels-Red Sox game early due to injury
In the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs, Zach Neto was thrown out trying to steal second base. After being tagged by David Hamilton, Neto appeared visibly uncomfortable but tried to reassure his teammates and coaches from the dugout that he was fine. He took the field as usual at shortstop in the next half-inning.
Zach Neto is leaving the game with an injury after this error at shortstop. pic.twitter.com/DVzL7Zjs7m
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) June 25, 2025
However, in the top of the ninth, Neto was pulled from the game following a play in which he fielded a grounder and made an awkward, underpowered throw to first base that sailed over Lamonte Wade Jr.’s head. The throw, described as “T-Rex armed,” raised immediate concern. Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad and acting manager Ray Montgomery rushed out to check on him and quickly determined he needed further evaluation. After a brief exchange between Neto and Frostad, Montgomery called in Scott Kingery from center field to replace him.
The concern is clearly with Neto’s right shoulder — the same one he had surgery on this past offseason after injuring it on a similar head-first slide into second base last September against the White Sox. Even if the medical evaluation brings encouraging news, the Angels are unlikely to rush him back given his history.
Neto is undeniably one of the Angels’ most crucial players. Already sidelined earlier this season due to that same shoulder, another absence would be a massive blow. He’s hitting .278/.321/.494 with an .814 OPS while anchoring the lineup as the team’s primary leadoff hitter. It’s a tough situation for one of MLB’s top shortstops and a key piece of the Angels’ young core.
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