Angels will play the hot hand at shortstop until Zach Neto returns
CHICAGO — After Kevin Newman started at shortstop the first two games, Tim Anderson got a shot on Sunday.
And it might continue to be a revolving door until Zach Neto comes back.
Manager Ron Washington said on Sunday that he planned to give Anderson two games, and then he’d continue to make the decisions on a day-to-day basis.
“The competition is over,” Washington said. “Now it’s all about winning ballgames. When I think Newman needs to be out there, he’ll be out there. When I think it’s time for T.A. to be out there, he’ll be out there.”
Although Newman is the one who signed a major league deal over the winter and had the better season last year, Washington seems inclined to give Anderson a shot.
Through the first two games, Newman was 0 for 6 and Anderson — who started at second base in the opener — was 0 for 4.
In spring training, Newman hit .205 with a .542 OPS and Anderson hit .250 with a .614 OPS.
Meanwhile, Neto still hasn’t played in the field in games in Arizona. Neto, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, has been hitting in games and throwing in drills.
“He’s progressing,” Washington said. “He’s still got boxes to check. I think we’ll have an idea once he gets the OK to start playing live ballgames, when he can get out on a rehab and start playing live games.”
Washington said he didn’t know when that would happen.
ADELL UPDATE
Center fielder Jo Adell said he was feeling better a day after he left a game because of hip tightness. Adell was not in the lineup on Sunday, but Washington said he might be ready to play as soon as Monday in St. Louis.
“There’s a possible chance he’ll be ready to go,” Washington said. “We’ll make that decision tomorrow.”
Kyren Paris, who started in Adell’s place in center field on Sunday, had been scheduled to start this game prior to Adell’s injury anyway.
NOTES
Left-hander Angel Perdomo was claimed on waivers by the A’s. The Angels acquired Perdomo late in spring training and then designated him for assignment a week later. …
Luis Rengifo had two hits on Saturday, but Washington said on Sunday he still wants to see a little more from Rengifo before he’s comfortable putting him near the top of the lineup. Rengifo missed much of spring training with an illness and a hamstring injury.
“Once he starts getting more consistent, then he really gives us some versatility throughout that lineup, but he’s he’s behind, man,” Washington said. “He’s a fighter, and he’s gonna figure out ways to get him some hits, but I want him to be Rengifo and it’s just gonna take some more at-bats.”
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 10-15, 3.81 ERA in 2024) at Cardinals (RHP Miles Mikolas, 10-11, 5.35 in 2024), Monday, 4:45 p.m. PT, at Busch Stadium, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM