As Major League Baseball inches closer and closer to December 1st, free agents continue to sign with teams ahead of the feared lock-out. The most recent player to sign is none other than relief pitcher Hector Neris, who has signed with the Houston Astros per Jim Salisbury.
Neris will join Houston after beginning his career in Philadelphia for the past eight years. Neris leaves Philadelphia with 520 strikeouts as a reliever, the most in franchise history. Neris also stands with the eighth-most saves in Phillies history with 84 saves.
With a 3.42 career ERA and an 11.5 K/9, Neris has found himself in just about every role in the Phillies’ bullpen. Most comfortable as a setup man, Neris has spent portions of the last six seasons as a closer as well.
While Neris is currently known for his part in the Phillies’ record-tying 34 blown saves in 2021, Neris’s 124 ERA+ on his career and 115 ERA+ on 2021 indicates that he is still one of the better relievers in the game. His K%, xBA, xWOBA, and xERA were all among the top ten percent in the Major Leagues as well last season.
The splitter-happy reliever will now find himself pitching in the American League Champions Houston Astros’ bullpen. After having spent his last eight years with the forever-rebuilding Phillies, this will be Neris’ first chance to shine in a properly set-up bullpen on a playoff-bound team.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
