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The same weekend that the Chicago Cubs are playing the Houston Astros, it's only fitting that Hector Neris is in the news cycle. The Los Angeles Angels announced on Saturday that Neris was designated for assignment as the team made room on their 26-man roster for Jose Fermin. For Neris, it's already the second time this season that he has been bounced from a Major League roster.
Neris opened the season with the Atlanta Braves, but like his start with the Cubs last season, it was a disaster from Opening Day. In 2 appearances with the Braves, working only 1 inning, Neris was tagged for 5 runs on 8 hits. He wasn't long for the Braves' roster, being designated for assignment at the end of April.
After clearing waivers, Neris found a home with the Angels, working out of Los Angeles' bullpen. In 21 appearances, Neris' numbers with the Angels look all too familiar to Cubs fans. Neris posted a 5.14 ERA, but to his credit, there was some bad luck involved with his time in Los Angeles. Neris was striking out over 31 percent of the hitters he faced with the Angels, and his FIP was 3.95. Given those underlying metrics, it would seem likely that a team will take a look at the veteran once he clears waivers.
Cubs’ failed signing moves on again as new team decides he’s not the answer
Of course, Neris' struggles with the Cubs last season were well documented. Forced out of Houston, given that they had Josh Hader and Ryan Pressly at the backend of their bullpen, the Cubs signed the veteran with the hope that he would stabilize the backend of their bullpen. Instead, he was forced into the closer's role after the injury and ineffectiveness of Adbert Alzolay, and never quite looked comfortable during his time with the Cubs. He was released by the team in August.
Neris returned to the Astros at the end of the 2024 season, posting a 4.70 ERA in 16 appearances. Similar to his time with the Angels, Neris' underlying metrics with the Astros at the end of last season suggested he was a better pitcher than his ERA indicated, having an expected FIP of 3.28. Given the revolving door that is bullpens across Major League Baseball, Neris certainly will find another homer this season.