Phillies reliever has signed with the National League East Rivals after officially moving to he Atlanta Braves, which includes an invitation to major-league spring training, per the team’s transaction log.
The 35-year-old right-hander, known for his fastball-splitter combination, has 11 years of MLB experience. He spent his first eight seasons with the Phillies, debuting in 2014 before becoming a key bullpen piece the following year. Neris experienced both highs and lows in Philadelphia, including standout seasons, struggles, and a Triple-A demotion in 2018 before rebounding. Overall, he was a reliable reliever, posting a 3.42 ERA with 84 saves in 405 appearances for the Phillies.
After leaving Philadelphia, Héctor Neris joined the Astros and played a crucial role in their bullpen, helping Houston win the 2022 World Series against his former team. He had a career-best season in 2023, recording a 1.71 ERA across 71 appearances.
Neris signed with the Cubs last season but was released in August before rejoining the Astros to finish the year. He posted a 4.10 ERA over 62 games in 2024 but was unable to secure a guaranteed major-league contract for 2025. Now with Atlanta, he’ll compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. If he makes the team, the Phillies will face a familiar opponent—one who has yet to surrender a run against them in seven career appearances between the regular season and playoffs.