The Cubs fired Hector Neres after he compiled an 8-4 record and 3.89 ERA in 46 games this season.
Chicago– chicago cubs Release the Savior Hector NeresThe team announced that it had cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
Neris, 35, went 8-4 with 17 saves and a 3.89 ERA in 46 games with Chicago this season, his first and only with the team. He also blew five saves while compiling a 1.52 WHIP during some turbulent times as the team’s closer after being elevated to the role earlier in the year.
Neris signed with the Cubs last winter on a one-year, $9 million deal that included a team option for 2025. That would have become a player option if the right-hander appeared in 60 games in 2024 or finished 45 of them. Part of his deal is now gone after he was cleared for waivers and released. Neris is now free to sign with any team at the prorated minimum.
The 11-year veteran has appeared in 592 regular-season games and 15 more in the postseason. He was originally slated by the Cubs to be a veteran presence in the bullpen while performing setup duties, but ineffectiveness and an injury I turned the corner They pushed Neris into the closer role. He was not selected for the position, because his combination of fastball and splitter was not as effective as his previous season, when he compiled a 1.71 ERA for Houston Astros.
The Cubs called up right-handed pitcher Jack Neely to replace Neris on the roster. Neely was acquired from New York Yankees On trade deadline Mark Leiter Jr.Neely was selected in the 11th round of the 2021 draft by the Yankees and has yet to make his MLB debut.
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