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.
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.
