Earlier this week, the Chicago Cubs released right-hander Héctor Neris. Neris, 35, has quickly found a new home and it’s in familiar territory. According to Ari Alexander of KPRC 2, the Houston Astros are signing Neris and they will need to make a corresponding move to get him on the 40-man roster. The Cubs already put Neris on waivers without making a formal announcement of the move. He went unclaimed as his roster spot went to fellow right-hander Jack Neely. Neris signed a one-year, $9 million contract over the offseason and was inconsistent this season.
Source: Hector Neris is signing with the #Astros.
He’s back. pic.twitter.com/Rl2xDAnuWS
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 22, 2024
Astros to Sign Héctor Neris
The move disregards any possibility of Neris gaining a $9 million player option for next year. That would have been based on appearances or games finished and not ending this season on the injured list. Neris posted a 3.89 ERA with 17 saves for the Cubs, but he coughed up five of the 25 save situations on the season. Neris also put up a career-worst 23.1 percent strikeout rate and 13.3 percent walk rate respectively. It’s a season removed from a robust 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings for the Astros. With Houston signing Neris, they will only be responsible for the prorated portion of the major league minimum salary.
Neris should be able to latch on with the Astros, considering his reputation as a great clubhouse figure and his role in helping the club win the 2022 World Series. He had much success between 2019-23, pitching 297 1/3 innings between the Astros and Philadelphia Phillies for a combined 3.12 ERA, 30.2 percent strikeout rate, 9.6 percent walk rate, 73 holds and 50 saves.
The Astros have seen their fair share of injuries to their bullpen. Kendall Graveman, Penn Murfee, Oliver Ortega and Bennett Sousa are all on the 60-day injust list. Ryan Pressly landed on the 15-day IL due to a lower back strain. Perhaps a return to a familiar place will get Neris back on track. Houston’s bullpen ranks in the top ten for various stats in the American League, including second in ERA (3.56), fourth in strikeout rate (24.7%) and walk rate (9.9%), tied for sixth in saves (32) and eighth in strikeouts (457).
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