Neto Rests; Joyce Shines
Angels Manager Kurt Suzuki Rests Zach Neto; Ben Joyce Continues Strong Return Post-Surgery
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki gave shortstop Zach Neto a full day off Thursday, saying he could see the young infielder was running low. Neto had started 116 of the Angels' first 121 games at shortstop — a heavy workload during a stretch of 13 straight games without a break, according to Press Telegram.
The rest came one day after Neto's first career start at designated hitter, where he went 0-for-3 with a walk. Suzuki made clear this was about keeping Neto fresh, not about any injury concern.
Suzuki Sees the Signs Before Neto Does
Suzuki didn't wait for Neto to ask for rest. The manager said he simply watched his shortstop and could tell a day off was needed. That kind of proactive management matters during a long, grueling stretch, according to OC Register.
Neto's workload speaks for itself. Starting 116 of 121 games is a heavy lift for any player, especially a young one still developing at the big-league level. The Angels are in the middle of 13 consecutive games, making scheduled rest even harder to fit in, according to Press Enterprise.
Ben Joyce Looks Sharp in Return from Surgery
Right-hander Ben Joyce has been one of the few bright spots for Los Angeles lately. Since returning from shoulder surgery, Joyce has pitched in four games. He has allowed just one single and has not given up a single run, according to Daily Breeze.
The next question is whether the Angels will push their luck and use Joyce on back-to-back days. Given how carefully teams handle pitchers coming off shoulder surgery, that decision will be watched closely by fans and coaches alike, according to SB Sun.
Peraza Recovering After Taking Pitch to the Hand
Infielder Oswald Peraza had some good news to share Thursday. After getting hit in the hand by a pitch, Peraza told reporters he was feeling better. His status going forward will be something the Angels monitor closely as they play through their long game streak, according to Press Telegram.
Angels Managing Minutes During a Brutal Schedule
The 13-game stretch without a day off puts pressure on every roster decision. Rest, health, and pitcher usage all become harder to manage. The Angels have to balance competing needs — keeping players healthy while still trying to win games, according to Daily News.
Suzuki's choice to sit Neto shows the Angels are thinking long-term, even mid-season. With Neto being one of the team's most important players, protecting him now could pay off down the stretch, according to OC Register.
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