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Former Phillies Pitcher Signs With New Team After Getting Sent Packing by Division Rival

Former Phillie Hector Neris was signed by the Los Angeles Angels this week after he was released earlier this month by the Atlanta Braves.
ByJovan Alford|
Aug 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) throws a pitch in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.
Aug 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) throws a pitch in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Former Philadelphia Phillies reliever Hector Neris has found a new opportunity after the Atlanta Braves designated him for assignment at the end of last month and ultimately released Neris on April 2.

The 35-year-old relief pitcher signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, according to their transactions log at MLB.com. On Thursday, Ari Alexander of KRPC-2 reported that Neris would make $1.5 million in the majors.

Atlanta signed the ex-Phillies pitcher to a one-year, $2 million minor league contract early last month in Spring Training.

The Braves hoped the veteran pitcher could be another weapon out of the bullpen this season. Neris only made three appearances in Spring Training, but that was good enough for Atlanta, as he made the Opening Day roster.

However, things went downhill immediately for the former Phillie as he struggled to get hitters out in Atlanta’s first series of the season against the San Diego Padres. 

In his first outing of the 2025 campaign, Neris allowed three hits and three earned runs (one home run), resulting in a blown save on Opening Day. Then the Braves called him back to the mound a few days later, where Neris gave up two hits, two earned runs, a walk, and only struck out one batter in one inning.

After two unsuccessful appearances out of the bullpen, the Braves felt it was best to part ways with the veteran pitcher, who will now try to make the big league club in Anaheim. 

The 35-year-old reliever has had a long MLB career, starting in Philadelphia, where he pitched eight seasons (2014-’21) with the Phillies. During his eight-year run with the Phils, Neris had a 3.42 ERA in 405 appearances. 

After spending almost a decade in Philadelphia, Neris took his talents to the Houston Astros for two seasons (2022, ‘23) before spending part of the 2024 season with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs released Neris in late August. However, the Astros signed him four days later.

That said, we’ll see if Neris can rebound from his performance with Atlanta or if it will be the same story with the Angels.

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