Héctor Neris DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Houston Astros signed free-agent right-handed reliever Hector Neris on Thursday, according to a source. Neris returns to the Astros after recently being designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs and then released. Despite leading the Cubs with 17 saves this year, Neris was a shaky closing option for them and posted a 3.89 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP with a career-high 13.3% walk rate in 44 innings out of the bullpen. The 35-year-old veteran will now reunite with the first-place Astros after pitching for them in 2022 and 2023, when he had a 12-7 record, 2.69 ERA, five saves, a 1.03 WHIP and a 156:48 K:BB in 133 2/3 innings. By the end of the year and for a potential playoff run, Neris should be working in a late-inning setup role in Houston, but don't expect many saves, if any at all, the rest of the way.

The Chicago Cubs released reliever Hector Neris on Tuesday after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers, according to sources. Pitcher Jack Neely, who was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade, is being called up from the minors to take Neris' spot on the roster. With the move, the Cubs will eat the rest of Neris' $9 million salary. The 35-year-old actually led the Cubs with 17 saves this year, but he also had five blown saves, a 3.89 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 26 walks in 44 innings out of the bullpen. With Neris now out of the picture in Chicago for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, it's likely that Jorge Lopez will serve as the team's primary closer. Lopez picked up his first save with Chicago on Saturday and had a career-high 23 saves with Baltimore and Minnesota back in 2022. Pick him up if you're desperate for saves.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Hector Neris tallied his 11th save of the campaign on Saturday. The 35-year-old was able to work around a few base runners to toss his third straight shutout inning. Rhys Hoskins hit a lead-off single on a line drive to left field. Neris then got his first out off a Sal Frelick ground ball but then proceeded to walk Jake Bauers. With two runners on, Neris was able to tally two consecutive strikeouts to seal the victory. It has been a rough season for the veteran reliever, but he has recently begun to turn things around. He is still worth holding onto in deeper leagues, as he should remain a top candidate for saves in Chicago even if he continues to struggle.

Chicago Cubs closer Hector Neris slammed the door on the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, pitching a perfect ninth inning to pick up his ninth save. Neris struck out a pair of Reds and didn't allow a baserunner in this one. Although he's given up his share of baserunners, the 34-year-old has been able to avoid damage for most of the season and has earned saves in 9 of his 11 opportunities. He has also picked up six wins, which may not be sustainable but is nonetheless a huge boon for his fantasy owners. He should maintain his role as the Cubs closer for the foreseeable future.

Chicago Cubs closer Hector Neris picked up his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox. Neris came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one. He got the first out on a line-out, walked a batter, allowed a stolen base but then picked the runner off, and ended the game with a pop-out. The 34-year-old veteran did not enter the season as the team's closer but has converted all but two opportunities with a 2.86 ERA, a 7.36 K/9 rate, and a 6.55 BB/9 rate. Neris is worth rostering in all roto leagues at least given his current role, but his strikeouts have taken a dip and his walks have spiked. Fantasy managers should be wary of these trends potentially hurting him at some point, but he is a useful fantasy option for now.