The Los Angeles Angels are taking a chance on veteran right‑handed reliever Hector Neris,signing him to a minor league contract in an attempt to shore up their struggling bullpen. Neris, 35, who was recently released by the Atlanta Braves after a rocky start to the season, will report to Triple‑A Salt Lake. “The Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with free agent reliever Hector Neris,” according to the team’s transaction log at MLB.com.

If Neris makes it back to the major league roster,his contract stipulates he “would earn a prorated $1.5MM,” according to KPRC‑2’s Ari Alexander.

The move comes as the Angels grapple with meaningful injuries to key relief pitchers and an overall bullpen ERA that ranks among the worst in Major League Baseball. Can Neris recapture his past form and contribute to a turnaround in Anaheim? Onyl time will tell.

A Bumpy Start in Atlanta Leads to Chance in Los Angeles

Neris’s 2025 season began with high hopes after signing a minor league deal with the Braves. He even managed to break camp with the big league club. However, his time in Atlanta was short‑lived. Despite signing in mid‑March and “only getting into three spring games,” he made the Opening day roster, but struggled mightily in his first two appearances. Neris “was shelled for five runs on five hits (one homer) and a walk in just one inning of work spanning two appearances.” That was enough for the Braves to cut ties, designating him for assignment.

The Angels, in need of bullpen help, quickly pounced on the opportunity to bring in the veteran reliever. The team hopes a change of scenery and a chance to work his way back into form in a less pressurized habitat will benefit Neris.

A Career of Ups and Downs

Prior to his brief stint with the Braves, Neris had established himself as a reliable late‑inning option for several teams, even though his performance has been inconsistent. His 2024 season was a mixed bag, split between the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros. He finished the season with “a respectable 4.10 ERA in 59 1/3 innings,” but his time with the cubs was marred by control issues.Neris “posted a 3.89 ERA but with rocky K‑BB numbers during his time with the Cubs.” He was eventually designated for assignment and released.

A trade to Houston seemed to revitalize him, at least statistically. With the astros, he showed flashes of brilliance, posting “a 4.70 ERA but a pristine 28.1% strikeout rate and 3.1% walk rate in 15 1/3 frames.” Despite the improved strikeout and walk rates, the ERA remained higher than his career average, highlighting the inherent volatility of relief pitching.

Angels’ Bullpen Woes Create Opportunity

The Angels’ decision to sign Neris is largely driven by their current bullpen struggles. The team has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances from its relief corps. “Angels relievers currently have a 6.11 ERA, ranking 29th in the majors.” The situation has been exacerbated by injuries to key pitchers such as Ben Joyce, who was recently placed on the injured list “due to inflammation in his right shoulder,” and Robert Stephenson, who “is on the mend from last year’s Tommy John surgery.”

While certain pitchers like “Kenley Jansen,Reid Detmers and Ryan Zeferjahn have all pitched well,but the rest of the team’s relief corps has struggled immensely.” The Angels are hoping Neris can provide some much‑needed stability and experience to a beleaguered bullpen. The team hopes he can follow the success of veteran arms like Steve Cishek, who signed a minor league deal with the tampa Bay Rays in 2022 at age 36, and ultimately became a key cog with the team, eating up valuable innings.

Can Neris Rebound?

Neris’s past performance suggests he has the potential to be a valuable asset. “From 2015-24, he pitched 599 2/3 innings with a 3.33 ERA, 29.5% strikeout rate, 9.1% walk rate,107 saves and 118 holds.” However, there are also concerns about his declining velocity. “Last year’s 93 mph average on his fastball was a career‑low, however, and he sat at just 91.9 mph in his two appearances with Atlanta earlier in the season.”

Whether Neris can rediscover his previous form remains to be seen. The Angels are hoping that a change of scenery and a less pressurized environment in Triple‑A will allow him to regain his confidence and improve his performance. At worst, the Angels have invested very little in a veteran who could potentially contribute down the stretch. “There’s no real harm for the Angels in taking a low‑cost look and stashing Neris in Triple‑A Salt Lake temporarily.”

One could argue that signing a struggling veteran like Neris is not the best approach for a team looking to contend. Some might suggest the Angels should focus on developing younger, homegrown talent instead. However,the Angels’ current situation dictates a more immediate need for bullpen help. Relying solely on unproven prospects carries its own risks, and the team may see Neris as a low-risk, high-reward option to fill that void.

FAQ: Hector Neris and the Angels’ Bullpen