GET THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
How Houston Astros could bolster bullpen by bringing back a familiar face
Aug 20, 2024, 1:18 pm
Should the Astros bring back Hector Neris? Composite Getty Image.
One of the biggest concerns of the Astros offseason was the amount of relief pitching that walked out the door in free agency. Ryne Stanek, Phil Maton, and Hector Neris all left after the season, and Kendall Graveman required shoulder surgery, further depleting Houston's bullpen.
Of all the outgoing pitchers, Neris was the one that hurt the most. He was fantastic in 2023 posting the lowest ERA (1.71) of his career. He also provided veteran leadership and came through in high-leverage situations in the playoffs.
Neris signed a 1-year, $9 million contract with the Cubs, with a vesting player option for 2025. The option would have kicked in had Neris reached 60 appearances or 45 games finished this year. According to reports, Neris has been DFA'd by the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024
Clearly, the Cubs didn't want Neris to reach those milestones that would lock them into his salary next season, so they opted to put Neris on waivers. He reportedly cleared waivers and now can be signed to another team.
Neris is 8-4 this season with a 3.89 ERA, and 17 saves. Now that he's available, will the Astros consider bringing him back?
Houston's setup man Ryan Pressly is currently on the IL, so the club is shorthanded at the moment.
Perhaps Neris could be the final piece to push them over the top this season.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.