August 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Hector Neris (51) reacts after giving the final out against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzacinski-USA TODAY Sports The Chicago Cubs are releasing reliever Hector Neris and plan to call up fellow right-hander Jack Neely, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Neris, who was recently taken over, signed a one-year, $9 million contract in the offseason that includes a $9 million team option for 2025.
This would have converted into a player option provided he played 60 games or 45 games and remained injury free until the end of the season.
Neris, 35, converted 17 of 22 save attempts and gave up 26 walks in 44 innings while serving as the Cubs’ closer this season. He has an 8-4 record with a 3.89 ERA in 46 relief appearances in 2024, completing 33 games.
Neris is 41-40 with a 3.29 ERA with 106 saves in 592 career relief appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies (2014-21), Houston Astros (2022-23) and Cubs.
Neely, 24, was one of two prospects acquired by Chicago in a trade with the New York Yankees for reliever Mark Leiter Jr. on July 30. Neely is the Cubs’ No. 18 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Neely is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 37 relief appearances with three different minor league teams in 2024. He has yet to make his major league debut.
–Field Level Media