Oswald

Peraza

Neto remains stapled to Los Angeles’ bench for the third consecutive contest for precautionary reasons after a home-plate collision over the weekend left him with some whiplash symptoms. Oswald Peraza will make another start at shortstop in his absence. The encouraging development here is that Neto passed concussion protocol and there’s been zero indication he’ll require a trip to the injured list. He’s day-to-day heading into Friday’s series opener against the Dodgers.

Oswald Peraza is at shortstop for the second straight game in his absence. Neto told reporters that he’s feeling better and hopes to be available off the bench after passing concussion protocol. He added that he’s getting an extra day of rest out of an abundance of caution after experiencing whiplash symptoms following a home-plate collision over the weekend. All signs point to Neto being ready to return for Wednesday’s series finale.

Neto is still dealing with some side effects from a scary-looking home-plate collision during Saturday’s game against the Rays that left him with whiplash symptoms. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be Oswald Peraza taking over at shortstop in his absence.

Pitcher Ian Seymour fell right on the back of Neto’s head as the shortstop was sliding in and scoring on a wild pitch, and Neto was down for a while afterwards. Oswald Peraza replaced him afterwards. If Neto is forced to the IL, the Angels probably call up Denzer Guzman to play short, unless maybe they’re content with Peraza’s glove there and want to choose Christian Moore instead.

Peraza had started the last five games, mostly against right-handed starters, at second base. Adam Frazier will pick up a start on a getaway day. Peraza is hitting .271/.340/.451 with six homers and five steals. He’s been a bit of a find as a reclamation project by the Angels so far this year.

Peraza was the awkward hero tonight. With runners on first and second and one out in a tie game in the bottom of the ninth, he hit a weak line-drive one-hopper right to the second baseman for what looked like a particularly easy double play. Justin Foscue, though, bobbled the ball while taking it out of his glove after touching second and made a poor throw that Jake Burger couldn’t handle at first. As the ball bounced away from Burger, Jo Adell scored from second, creating a strange end to a fun pitcher’s duel. It went as a forceout and an error on Foscue, though Burger definitely deserved a share of the blame as well.

Peraza’s homer was a two-run blast off Eric Lauer to give the team a 2-1 lead in the fifth. It’s been a strong start to the year for the former Yankee, as he entered Sunday with a wRC+ 22 percent better than league average. He hasn’t been a regular in the lineup lately, however, as Vaughn Grissom, Yoan Moncada, and Adam Frazier factor in for playing time at second and third base.

Peraza was the hero with an RBI single to score Adam Frazier to give the Angels the win in the bottom of the 10th. He also doubled and singled in the contest. The former upper-echelon prospect in the Yankees’ system has enjoyed his new surroundings, and is now slashing .295/.361/.489 on the campaign. It’s very plausible — but far from a guarantee — that this is the breakout campaign.

Moncada, a switch-hitter, has now found himself on the bench against three straight left-handers in favor of Oswald Peraza. If he’s now in a platoon situation, expect him to also sit out on Saturday against Cole Ragans. Otherwise, it’s possible that he’s dealing with an underlying physical issue. Fantasy managers may want to get him out of lineups for the weekend if possible.

Peraza got the start at third base with the opposing left-handed pitcher on the mound. He knocked a base hit in the fifth inning and scored the Angels’ first run on a sacrifice fly. He added another hit in the seventh before he was pinch-hit for in the ninth against a right-hander. With Jorge Soler back from suspension, Peraza seems ticketed for a short-side platoon role despite hitting .292/.361/.538 with four homers and three steals across 65 at-bats.