Report: Astros reuniting with Neris after Cubs release

The Houston Astros are signing veteran reliever Héctor Neris, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Neris became a free agent after the Chicago Cubs released the right-hander Tuesday. He signed a one-year, $9-million contract in the offseason. His deal included a $9-million option in 2025 that would've converted into a player option had Neris logged 60 appearances or finished 45 games.

The 35-year-old owns a 3.89 ERA with 17 saves and 9.4 K/9 over 44 innings this season. However, he authored a career-best 1.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 71 appearances with the Astros last year after helping Houston win the 2022 World Series.

Neris should bolster a Houston bullpen that ranks 19th in fWAR in the majors in 2024.