Veteran Reliever Héctor Neris Joins Angels Amid Bullpen Injuries
Héctor Neris, now in his 12th MLB season, has found a new home with the Los Angeles Angels after a rough start to 2025. The 35-year-old right-hander, best known for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros, was recently designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves and chose free agency, leading to his signing with the Angels.
Neris’ career began with a lengthy stint in Philadelphia, where he pitched for eight seasons and carved out a reputation as a dependable reliever. He later joined the Astros, becoming part of their 2022 World Series championship team. Over the course of his career, Neris has compiled a 3.40 ERA and 107 saves, though he’s primarily taken on middle relief and setup duties in more recent years. He has also had brief tenures with the Chicago Cubs and the Braves.
Unfortunately, Neris’ time in Atlanta this season was short and unproductive. He allowed five earned runs over just two appearances, prompting the Braves to move on from him. Now, with a fresh opportunity in Anaheim, he could offer some stability to a team in need of bullpen reinforcements.
The Angels, who started the 2025 season strong by winning their first four series, have since cooled off, dropping three straight to sit at a 9-8 record. The bullpen has become a growing concern, especially after losing key eighth-inning arm Ben Joyce to a shoulder injury. Joyce, known for his triple-digit fastballs, leaves a big hole in the late-inning rotation.
Neris presents a potential solution. Even though he’s had a rocky start, his veteran experience and past success make him a low-risk, potentially high-reward acquisition for the Angels. Adding to the intrigue, one of Neris’ former teammates from the Astros is now the ace of the Angels’ starting rotation, reuniting the pair in Anaheim.
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