Houston Astros bring back reliever Hector Neris after he was released from the Cubs

According to reports, former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Hector Neris is returning to the Houston Astros after being released by the Chicago Cubs earlier this week.

Hector Neris waived by Chicago Cubs, returns to Houston Astros

Source: Hector Neris is signing with the #Astros.

He’s back. pic.twitter.com/Rl2xDAnuWS

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 22, 2024

Neris spent the first eight years of his big league career in Philly before joining the Houston Astros. He then pitched against the Phillies in the 2022 World Series (pain), tossing a total of two innings while allowing zero runs. 

Last year, Neris posted career numbers in Houston, finishing the season with a 1.71 ERA in 68.1 innings. During the offseason, he left Houston and signed with the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $9 million contract.

Former Phillies’ reliever signs 1-year deal with the Chicago Cubs >>

His deal included a $9 million team option for 2025 – which could have converted into a player option provided if he made 60 appearances or finished 45 games and was injury-free at the end of this season.

That didn’t happen. Neris was released by the Cubs on Tuesday and cleared waivers – which prompted the Houston Astros to sign him. Neris converted 17-of-22 save attempts while issuing 26 walks over 44 innings of work as the Cubs’ closer this season. He posted an 8-4 record with a 3.89 ERA in 46 relief appearances in 2024, finishing 33 games.

The Houston Astros are in the midst of a late-summer surge and currently have a 68-58 record, good for a five-game lead in the AL West. Fellow righty reliever Ryan Pressly is currently on IL which means Neris should definitely provide some help for the bullpen.

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