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.
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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.
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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
