Former Phillies reliever Héctor Neris is returning to the National League East after signing a minor-league contract with the Atlanta Braves on Monday, complete with an invitation to major-league spring training, according to the club’s transaction log.
Neris, a 35-year-old right-hander known for his fastball-splitter combo, brings 11 years of big-league experience. He spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Phillies, debuting in 2014 with a one-inning appearance before establishing himself as a key bullpen piece in 2015.
While his time in Philadelphia had its ups and downs—including a pivotal demotion to Triple-A in 2018—Neris was ultimately a productive pitcher, posting a 3.42 ERA and collecting 84 saves in 405 games with the team.
After leaving Philadelphia, Neris joined the Houston Astros and played a crucial role in their bullpen during the 2022 World Series, where they defeated the Phillies. He then had the best season of his career in 2023, registering a 1.71 ERA across 71 games.
Neris signed with the Chicago Cubs last season but was released in August and finished the year back with the Astros. He posted a 4.10 ERA in 62 appearances in 2024. Despite not securing a guaranteed major-league contract for 2025, Neris will now compete for a spot with the Braves during spring training.
If he makes the roster, he will face his former team often, particularly in divisional matchups, where he has a spotless record against the Phillies, having not allowed a run in seven appearances, including the regular season and postseason.
