Another veteran arm is heading to big league camp. According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Justin Toscano, Héctor Neris is set to join the Atlanta Braves on Monday, bringing the total number of players in camp to 49.
That’s a little late, sure, better late than never when you’ve got a guy with his track record.
A Veteran Arm With Proven Success
Let’s talk about Neris for a second. The 35-year-old right-hander has been in the big leagues for 11 seasons, spending most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies before moving on to the Houston Astros and, most recently, the Chicago Cubs.
Over that time, he’s put up a solid 3.33 career ERA, a 126 ERA+ (which basically means he’s been well above league average for most of his career), and a 1.17 WHIP. Those are numbers you take every day of the week if you’re looking for a reliable bullpen piece.
And let’s not forget his time with Houston. Braves fans might not love the reminder, but Neris played a key role in the Astros’ 2022 World Series victory over his former team, the Phillies.
He was also part of a combined no-hitter against the Yankees that same year, throwing a scoreless eighth inning with two walks.
Looking for a Rebound Season
Now, last season was a bit of a mixed bag for him. Splitting time between Houston and Chicago, Neris finished with a 4.10 ERA in 62 appearances.
He did not have terrible stats, but he is not quite the dominant reliever he had been in previous years. Still, he took his time finding a team this offseason. The Braves clearly see value in giving him a look.
Atlanta has already started trimming its roster in camp, with eight players reassigned to minor league camp and four optioned to Triple-A.
But there’s still some wiggle room. The Braves wouldn’t bring in a veteran like Neris if they didn’t think he could contribute.
Braves Continue Roster Adjustments
At this point in camp, it’s all about fine-tuning the roster, and the Braves are clearly keeping their options open. Atlanta has been reassigning players to Minor League Camp and optioning other players to Triple-A.
Neris brings experience, postseason pedigree, and a solid track record, even if his 2023 numbers weren’t quite as sharp.
Could he carve out a role in Atlanta’s bullpen? It’s too early to say, but the Braves are giving him a shot.
