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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
