RHP Héctor Neris returns to Houston
HOUSTON, TX - The Astros have signed RHP Héctor Neris to a Major League contract, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced today.
Neris, 35, played two seasons in Houston (2022-23) before signing with Chicago (NL) prior to the 2024 season. Neris appeared in 46 games for the Cubs this season before being released on Tuesday. In those 46 appearances, he recorded a 3.89 ERA (19ER/44IP) with 46 strikeouts and 17 saves.
Neris was an integral part of the Astros bullpen in his previous two seasons with the club. In 141 regular season appearances with the Astros, Neris recorded a 2.69 ERA (40ER/133.2IP) with 156 strikeouts, a 1.03 WHIP and a .189 opponent batting average. En route to the Astros World Series Championship in 2022, Neris posted a 1.50 ERA (1ER/6IP) with nine strikeouts and a .100 opponent batting average in eight postseason appearances. In 2023, Neris posted a career-best 1.71 ERA in 71 appearances with a .174 opponent batting average.
In his Major League career, Neris has pitched for the Phillies (2014-21), Astros (2022-23) and Cubs (2024), posting a 3.29 ERA (214ER/585.1IP) with 722 strikeouts, a 1.18 WHIP, 106 saves and a .215 opponent batting average. Throughout his career, he has been a durable performer, leading the Majors in appearances with 559 since the start of the 2016 season.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Neris, the Astros designated minor league IF Jacob Amaya for assignment.