The Braves brought Hector Neris back to the NL East, as the veteran right-hander signed with Atlanta on a Minor League deal. It also comes with an invite to Spring Training. Neris will look to make it back to the Majors after a mixed performance as the Cubs’ closer in 2024.
A Look at Neris
After a strong run as a setup man in Houston, the Cubs signed reliever Hector Neris in late-January 2024 to slot in as a late-inning reliever. However, it didn’t take long for the Cubs calling upon Neris to close out games, a role he hadn’t been in since his days with the Phillies.
The veteran right-hander notched 17 saves with the Cubs but it wasn’t without theatrics. Neris posted ERA figures of 5.00 or greater in June & September, having issues with walks (which I’ll get into in a minute).
Chicago DFA’d Neris in August and the right-hander landed back in Houston a few days later.
Neris’ numbers somewhat stabilized after the move back to Houston. The 36-year-old walked just two over 18 innings pitched. However, Neris conceded four home runs with the Astros, compared to four over 44 frames with Chicago.
Command has never been a strong point for Neris, who battled problems with it for years as Philadelphia’s closer. What Neris does have, however, is a powerful splitter with depth that’s become his go-to secondary offering for years. It wasn’t as potent compared to 2023, as the Whiff% dipped on it.
But, it still was a good low-80’s offering with above-average vertical drop (2.8” better than league-average). Hence, why Neris induced more whiffs down compared to up.
The right-hander also possesses a low-90s fastball with carry that’s used to set up the split, as well as a rising two-seamer that offers a different look. His slider, which is primarily used against right-handed bats, doesn’t have great movement/depth and stayed up too much.
Per the Braves, Hector Neris signed with the team on a Minor League deal.
Analysis
Atlanta lost several relievers this winter, either through offseason moves or injury. Joe Jimenez underwent knee surgery after the 2024 campaign and will miss all of 2025. A.J. Minter went to New York (NL), and Jesse Chavez went to Texas on a Minor League deal.
Neris, at age 36 and coming off a trying season, will now look to fill one of those voids.
The good news, for Neris, is that he still proved he can get lefties out, particularly with the splitter. Opposing left-handed batters slashed .214/.341/.282 (.623 OPS), compared to .271/.321/.533 (.853 OPS).
Given the Braves are without Minter (and to a certain extent, Chavez, who also could get lefties out), Neris could sneak in as a pitcher who can slot in a specialist against lefties, a rarity for a right-handed pitcher.