Neris signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Wednesday.
Neris was part of Atlanta's Opening Day roster but was quickly designated for assignment after he allowed five earned runs in one-plus innings over his first two appearances. He elected free agency after clearing waivers and will now look to bounce back with the Angels. He'll presumably report to Triple-A Salt Lake and could join Los Angeles' bullpen sometime this summer if he returns to form.
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Hector Neris: Enters open market
Rotowire
Neris elected free agency Wednesday.
Neris was DFA'd by Atlanta after giving up five runs in one-plus innings during the first series of the season, and he'll now test his luck in free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett. The 35-year-old finished the 2024 regular season with a 4.10 ERA and 1.40 WHIP across 59.1 innings between the Astros and Cubs, though his uninspiring start to '25 may make other teams hesitant to offer him an MLB deal.
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Braves' Hector Neris: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
Atlanta designated Neris for assignment Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Neris had a disastrous first series of the season in San Diego, giving up five runs over two appearances while recording just three outs. The 35-year-old should get an opportunity in another organization, but he might have to go to the minor leagues first to get straightened out.
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Braves' Hector Neris: Makes Atlanta's roster
Rotowire
Atlanta selected Neris' contract from Triple-A Gwinnet on Friday.
Neris has made just two Grapefruit League appearances after signing a minor-league contract earlier this month, but they were scoreless outings and he's now officially part of the Opening Day bullpen. The veteran reliever could eventually work his way into a setup role ahead of closer Raisel Iglesias.
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Braves' Hector Neris: Making case for bullpen spot
Rotowire
Neris gave up a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The veteran right-hander got the start on a bullpen day for Atlanta, and Neris was able to work around a Johan Rojas leadoff double. He's made only two spring appearances since signing an NRI deal in early March, but Neris has gotten up to speed fairly quickly and seems in line to begin the season with a spot on the 26-man roster, although he may work in middle relief rather than getting handed a setup role in front of closer Raisel Iglesias.
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Astros' Hector Neris: First 2024 save with Houston
Rotowire
Neris got the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Padres, allowing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless inning.
Neris picked up his 18th save of the season but his first of the year with the Astros after getting the ball in the 10th inning on the heels of Josh Hader recording the previous four outs. As he's done many times this season, Neris pitched his way into trouble, loading the bases with two outs before getting Manny Machado to ground out to end the game. Neris' reunion with the Astros has been a success so far, as he's posted a 2.53 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings over 11 appearances.
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Astros' Hector Neris: Reuniting with Houston
Rotowire
Neris agreed to a one-year contract with the Astros on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston reports.
Neris was cut loose by the Cubs earlier this week following a disappointing stint in Chicago but has quickly caught on with Houston, where he posted a 2.69 ERA and 29.1 percent strikeout rate between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The veteran right-hander will likely be eased into high-leverage situations with the Astros but could work his way into a setup role eventually if he pitches well.
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Hector Neris: Released by Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs released Neris on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Neris leads the Cubs with 17 saves this season and has posted a decent 3.89 ERA with 46 strikeouts over 44 innings. However, a 1.52 WHIP, a 13.3 percent walk rate and five blown saves left the team frustrated, and the Cubs have decided to move on from the veteran reliever, eating what remains of his $9 million salary. Neris should be able to latch on quickly with another team now that he can be had at the prorated minimum salary, but he's unlikely to be deployed in high-leverage spots at his next stop, at least not right away.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Stumbles in fifth blown save
Rotowire
Neris was charged with a blown save Friday against the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on four hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.
Neris allowed singles to three of the first four batters he faced in the ninth inning before George Springer tied the game with a two-out, two-run triple. It's the first blown save for Neris since June 17 -- he'd allowed just two runs in his last 15.1 innings coming into Friday. The 35-year-old's ERA is up to 3.98 on the year with a 1.51 WHIP and 45:26 K:BB across 43 innings. He's converted 17 of 22 save chances.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Secures 17th save
Rotowire
Neris struck out two over a hitless and scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the White Sox.
Neris' own error led to the leadoff batter in the ninth inning getting aboard, but he was sharp after that to preserve the lead. It was a more confident outing than his shaky performance Friday, though he was able to keep runs off the board in that game as well. Neris has allowed two runs and posted a 19:6 K:BB over his last 15.1 innings, collecting seven saves in that span. For the season, he has a 3.43 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 43:26 K:BB with 17 saves and three holds across 42 innings.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Escapes with 16th save
Rotowire
Neris gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his 16th save of the season in a 7-6 win over the White Sox.
The veteran right-hander gave up back-to-back singles to lead off the ninth before walking Andrew Benintendi with two outs, but Neris got Andrew Vaughn to fly out to escape the jam. Neris hasn't blown a save since June 16, posting a 1.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 14.1 innings since then to build up some job security as the Cubs' closer.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Takes loss Saturday
Rotowire
Neris (8-4) allowed one run on one hit across an inning of work to take the loss Saturday against the Cardinals.
Tasked with keeping the game 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, Neris allowed a leadoff triple to Tommy Pham followed by a sacrifice fly to quickly give St. Louis the lead. For Neris, it was just the second time he's allowed a run over his last 14 appearances, and he has a 1.35 ERA during that span. The veteran's recent strong play should keep him locked in as Chicago's regular closer despite Saturday's hiccup in a non-save situation.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Grabs 15th save
Rotowire
Neris earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals, striking out two while issuing a walk over 1.1 innings.
Neris entered the game with the Cubs up 5-2 in the eighth inning after Julian Merryweather issued four walks to load the bases. Neris would walk the first batter he faced, allowing another run to score. However, he'd strike out Brandon Crawford to end the frame before setting St. Louis down in order in the ninth, sealing a 6-3 victory. The 35-year-old Neris has been excellent recently, allowing just one run over his last 13 appearances (12.1 innings). Overall, he sports a 3.46 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP and 41:25 K:BB across 39 innings this season while converting 15 of 19 save opportunities.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Takes loss Wednesday
Rotowire
Neris (8-3) allowed a run on two hits over an inning of work to take the loss Wednesday against the Brewers. He struck out two.
Neris allowed his first run since June 17, snapping a streak of nine straight scoreless appearances, as Milwaukee prevailed 3-2 late. The veteran reliever endured a rough patch last month, but his recent strong play should keep him locked into Chicago's closer role despite Wednesday's hiccup. He now has a 3.79 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 35.2 innings this season, to go along with a team-high 14 saves.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Collects 14th save
Rotowire
Neris picked up the save in Monday's 3-1 win versus Milwaukee, pitching a scoreless inning with no strikeouts. He allowed one hit.
The veteran reliever pounded the zone in this outing, firing 10 of his 12 pitches for strikes, and he secured his 103rd career save. Neris has turned in nine consecutive scoreless outings dating back to June 22. Over that time, he's been a fantasy stalwart, gathering four saves and 12 strikeouts across eight innings. Given his recent run of success, Neris could be a trade target at next week's July 30 deadline and lose his easy path to saves.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Earns eighth win Sunday
Rotowire
Neris (8-2) pitched a scoreless inning of relief to earn the win in Sunday's 2-1, 10-inning win over the Diamondbacks. He walked one and struck out one.
Neris navigated around the automatic runner on second base in the top of the 10th inning to extend his streak of scoreless appearances to eight. The strong work also earned him his eighth win out of the bullpen this season, which is tied for the team lead with Sunday's starter Shota Imanaga. While Neris has had a few hiccups along the way, he's mostly been solid for the Cubs, and the veteran should remain a decent fantasy option as long as he sticks in the closer role.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Grabs one-out save
Rotowire
Neris struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Sunday's 5-0 win over the Angels.
Neris was credited with the save after Luke Little loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth inning. Neris struck out Zach Neto on four pitches to end the threat. This is the second stretch of the season in which Neris has avoided giving up a run over five consecutive appearances, with this scoreless streak at 4.1 innings. He has a 9:2 K:BB in that span, and for the season, the closer is up to 12 saves with a 4.06 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 33:22 K:BB across 31 innings.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Continues to pitch better
Rotowire
Neris tossed a scoreless inning of relief in Thursday's 10-2 win over the Phillies. He allowed one hit and struck out two.
After a rough patch in the middle of June, Neris has now strung together four straight scoreless appearances. That's allowed the veteran reliever to lower his season ERA to a more respectable 4.11. Neris logged a stellar 1.71 ERA across 68.1 innings last year for the Astros, so there is potential for continued improvement in 2024. The better play has also likely kept him locked into the closer role for the time being.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Snags seventh win
Rotowire
Neris (7-2) tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to earn the win in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning victory over the Giants.
Neris went through a rough patch earlier this month but has pitched better lately, tossing scoreless innings in consecutive outings with four total strikeouts. The veteran once again didn't see a save opportunity, as that went to Porter Hodge on Thursday, but it was encouraging to see Neris still work in a high-leverage spot. He figures to remain Chicago's closer moving forward, though he could be replaced if his struggles resurface.
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Cubs' Hector Neris: Can't convert save opportunity
Rotowire
Neris (6-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Giants on Monday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.
Neris entered in the top of the ninth frame with Chicago leading by two runs. He got one out before Jorge Soler reached base on catcher's interference. Mike Yastrzemski followed with a walk before Thairo Estrada gave San Francisco the lead with a three-run homer. Though Neris retired the following two batters, the damage had been done, and the Cubs weren't able to mount a comeback in the bottom of the frame. The blown save was the fourth of the season for Neris and his third over his past seven chances. He's allowed nine earned runs across his past 8.2 frames, so his hold on the closer position may be tenuous.
