Former Phillies closer DFA’D by Cubs

The Phillies struggling bullpen might be able to reach out to an old friend for some help.

The Chicago Cubs have released veteran closer Hector Neris, who is He’s 8-4 with a 3.89 ERA and has saved 17 games this season.

Neris, who pitched in Philadelphia for eight seasons, has a 3.54 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 46 games for the Cubs this season. He spent the previous two seasons in Houston, helping the Astros beat the Phillies in the 2022 World Series.

While he was never a great closer for the Phillies, he did pitch well in a middle relief role while in Philadelphia and Houston. During his two seasons in Houston, Neris had a outstanding 2.69 ERA with 1.032 WHIP in 141 games and 133.1 innings pitched.

While in Philadelphia, he appeared in 405 games in eight seasons, with a ERA of 3.78 and WHIP of 1.192, saving 84 games.

He would give the Phillies a sold right-handed arm that could replace Seranthony Dominguez, who was traded to Baltimore in the Austin Hays trade.

The Phillies bullpen has been struggling of late, adding Neris would take some of the pressure off Jeff Hoffman late in games.