The Chicago Cubs have officially released veteran reliever Hector Neris, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. The move had been quietly processed as Neris passed through waivers unclaimed. In his place, the Cubs are promoting right-hander Jack Neely from Triple-A Iowa. Neely was acquired from the Yankees during the trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Mark Leiter Jr. to New York.
Neris, 35, was signed to a one-year, $9 million contract this past offseason, but his performance has been inconsistent. Despite a respectable 3.89 ERA, Neris has struggled in key moments, blowing five of 25 save opportunities. His strikeout and walk rates have also dropped to career-worst levels, with strikeouts down to 23.1% and walks up to 13.3%.
A critical factor behind Neris’ release appears to be a looming vesting player option. Had Neris made 60 appearances or finished 45 games this season, a $9 million option for 2025 would have automatically vested. With 46 appearances and 33 games finished, Neris would have needed to reach those milestones in the Cubs’ final 37 games. Given his uneven play, the Cubs chose to avoid that scenario and released the veteran right-hander.
Neris’ track record is otherwise solid. In 2022, he posted a stellar 1.71 ERA in 68 1/3 innings for the Houston Astros, though much of that success was buoyed by a favorable .219 BABIP and an exceptionally high 90.5% strand rate. Still, from 2019 to 2023, Neris was one of the league’s more reliable relievers, amassing a 3.12 ERA with 73 holds and 50 saves over 297 1/3 innings for the Phillies and Astros.
Now a free agent, Neris will be available to any team for the remainder of the season at the prorated league minimum. The Cubs remain responsible for the majority of his contract. If Neris signs with a new team before September 1, he’ll be eligible for their postseason roster, provided he’s added to the 40-man roster or serves as a replacement for an injured player.
The Cubs’ decision to promote Jack Neely from Triple-A Iowa signals a shift towards younger talent as they look ahead. Neely, a 24-year-old right-hander, has shown promise since being acquired from the Yankees and will have an opportunity to make an impact in the majors as Chicago continues to battle for a postseason spot.
