ANAHEIM — Zach Neto could measure his relief by the hours that he slept.
The Angels shortstop underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that showed only inflammation in his right elbow.
“I got a really good night’s sleep last night,” Neto said on Friday. “I slept about 12 or 13 hours. Hearing the good news was definitely a relief for me.”
Neto said he hadn’t slept very well on Wednesday, when the Angels returned from Houston and Neto had come out of the game with a sore elbow. He admitted after that game he had some concern because he’d dealt with elbow issues when he was growing up.
Although he wasn’t in the lineup on Friday, he said he was available. Manager Ron Washington said he expected Neto to be in the starting lineup on Saturday.
“Big sigh of relief for me because he’s a big part of what we’re trying to do,” Washington said. “He’s been holding his part of it to a higher standard, so I’m just happy that (inflammation) is all it is.”
Neto took ground balls on made soft flips to second base during pregame drills on Friday. He did not throw to first.
Neto was hitting .249 with a .722 OPS, including .293 with an .892 OPS over his previous 22 games.
DRURY UPDATE
Infielder Brandon Drury, who is out with a strained hamstring, has been hitting off a tee and he said he planned to advance to hitting flips on Friday. He said he was going to begin light jogging on Saturday.
“It’s feeling a lot better each day,” Drury said. “I feel like I’m healing fast for the injury that I had. I feel like I’m on the right track.”
NOTES
Infielder Miguel Sanó was set to play in a third game in the Arizona Complex League on Friday. Sanó had two hits in five at-bats in his first two games. Washington said Sanó has had “no issues” so far, but they’d like to get Sanó some at-bats in Triple-A before bringing him back to the majors. “He can dominate those kids (in Arizona),” Washington said. “They are already shaking when they see him in the box.” …
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Right-hander Sam Bachman (shoulder surgery) is scheduled to pitch in a game in Arizona on Saturday. It would be his first game action since undergoing surgery last fall. Bachman is expected to pitch for at least a month in the minors before the Angels consider him for the majors because they want to use him as a starter. …
Infielder Michael Stefanic (strained quadriceps) had seven hits in 16 at-bats in the first seven games of his rehab assignment. Stefanic is eligible to be activated on Monday. …
Right-hander Chase Silseth (elbow inflammation) threw live batting practice on Friday in Arizona. The next step for Silseth would be to pitch in a game. The Angels also want to bring him back as a starter, so he’ll need several weeks in the minors. …
Right-hander Guillo Zuñiga (pectoral strain) was scheduled for his second outing at Triple-A on Friday. Zuñiga has already pitched in four minor league games, so he should soon be ready to be activated, if the Angels choose. Zuñiga has options, so the Angels don’t have to bring him to the majors when he’s healthy.
UP NEXT
Guardians (RHP Tanner Bibee, 2-1, 3.93 ERA) at Angels (RHP José Soriano, 2-4, 3.30 ERA), Saturday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM