The Los Angeles Angels have made the decision to sign a former competitor of theirs from the AL West division.
The Angels have signed veteran reliever Hector Neris to a minor league contract. The team’s transactions page made the announcement public on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Neris is currently on his 12th MLB season. Before joining the Houston Astros in 2022, he played for the Philadelphia Phillies for the first eight of those seasons. As a member of Houston’s 2022 World Series-winning club, Neris enjoyed a fruitful time there. With a career ERA of 3.40 and 107 total saves, he has also worked for the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. However, these days, Neris primarily pitches in middle relief or setup roles.
Neris has struggled so start this season, giving up five earned runs in just two Braves appearances. Neris elected free agency after Atlanta finally opted to designate him for assignment late last month, which paved the way for the Angels to now acquire him.
With victories in their first four series, the Angels made a respectable start to the 2025 season. They are now 9-8 overall and have lost three straight games.
The Angels, who recently lost their eighth-inning star Ben Joyce (the renowned fireballer) due to a shoulder injury, should find Neris worth the gamble. It’s interesting to note that Neris’ old Astros teammate is currently the top pitcher in the Angels’ rotation in Anaheim.
