August 10, 2024; CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Hector Neris (51) reacts after recording the final out against the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the ninth at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzysztofski-USA TODAY Sports ESPN reported Tuesday that the Chicago Cubs plan to release reliever Hector Neris and sign right-hander Jack Neely.
Neris, who was recently designated for assignment, signed a one-year, $9 million contract in the offseason that also included a $9 million team option for 2025.
That would have been converted to a player option if he made 60 appearances or completed 45 games and was injury-free at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old Neris has been the Cubs’ closer this season, making 17 of 22 save attempts and walking 26 batters in 44 innings. He finished 33 games in 2024 with an 8-4 record and a 3.89 ERA in 46 relief appearances.
Neris is 41-40 with 106 saves and a 3.29 ERA in 592 career relief appearances for 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 on July 30 for reliever Mark Leiter Jr. Neely is the Cubs’ 18th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Neely made 37 relief appearances for three minor league teams in 2024, posting a 2.42 ERA and a record of 1-1. He has yet to make his major league debut.
–Field level media
