Dominican right-hander Hector Neris signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves on March 3, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Justin Toscano.
Neris, 35, will report to Triple-A Gwinnett as a non-roster invitee for spring training.
Braves signed Hector Neris. He’s an NRI who’ll be in camp today. That means there are 49 players in big-league camp.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) March 3, 2025
Born in Villa Altagracia, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, Neris has pitched 11 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2014 to 2021 and the Houston Astros from 2022 to 2023. He played a key role in Houston’s combined no-hitter against the New York Yankees on June 25, 2022.
He signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent on February 1, 2024, but was released on August 20. Four days later, he rejoined Houston and remained with the Astros until electing free agency on October 31.
Neris appeared in 62 games last season, posting a 10-5 record with a 4.10 ERA. He logged 59.1 innings, recorded 18 saves, and allowed 55 hits, 27 earned runs, and eight home runs. He struck out 64 and walked 28, finishing with a 1.399 WHIP.
In the 2024 postseason, he pitched two-thirds of an inning in the American League Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers, striking out two and walking one without allowing a run.
Neris’ 2023 season was one of his best. He went 6-3 with a 1.71 ERA in 71 relief appearances for Houston, throwing 68.1 innings while allowing 41 hits, 13 earned runs, and seven home runs. He struck out 77 and walked 31, posting a 1.054 WHIP.
He also represented the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, making three relief appearances in Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami. Over 2.1 scoreless innings, he struck out four and walked one. The Dominican Republic was eliminated after losing to Puerto Rico in its final game of pool play.
In 11 major league seasons, Neris has a 43-41 record with a 3.33 ERA in 608 relief appearances. He has recorded 107 saves over 600.2 innings, allowing 480 hits, 222 earned runs, and 77 home runs. He has 740 strikeouts and 227 walks, with a career 1.177 WHIP.
The Braves continue their Grapefruit League schedule on March 6 against the Miami Marlins at CoolToday Park in Venice, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. EST.
Atlanta opens the regular season on March 27 at the San Diego Padres, with game time set for 4:10 p.m. EDT.
