Yet another Cubs bullpen castoff is finding success on a postseason-bound team

Stop me if you've heard this story before. The Chicago Cubs cut ties with a reliever. Said reliever latches on with a new club and finds success. The latest iteration of this tale comes in the form of veteran right-hander Hector Neris, who has played a key role for the Houston Astros late in the year after being released by Chicago in late August.

Signed to a one-year, $9 million deal with an option for 2025, the Cubs dumped Neris before that option could vest, saving themselves the same amount next year. It felt like every appearance was a high-wire act and he did little to inspire confidence as the team's fill-in closer.

Control issues (5.3 BB/9) were a major thorn in his side but, lo and behold, once he returned to Houston, things leveled off and he's re-established himself as a key presence in the Astros bullpen.

In this thread, Brozdowski points out that Neris has been far less effective against righties, at least in peripherals (4.06 to 7.84 FIP). Until his last three outings, in which he surrendered five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, inflating his numbers dramatically, the veteran had been the definition of reliable for manager Joe Espada.

Across his first 12 appearances with Houston, he worked to a 2.31 ERA and limited opponents to a .132 average and .480 OPS. There's no denying that he's stumbled in his last three games, but it's clear the Astros believe adjusting his pitch mix and usage is the secret to getting him back on track and, at least in terms of cutting down the walks, it's worked quite well.

Despite the adjustments and improved control, Neris is still probably in the twilight of his career. He's not the guy he once was, but Houston is hoping he has just enough left in the tank to help them win it all after pulling off a wild months-long comeback to claim their seventh AL West crown in the last eight seasons.