So much for that player option for 2025 vesting with 60 appearances. As first reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the Cubs have released reliever Héctor Neris after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. Jack Neely, who came over in the Mark Leiter Jr. trade with the Yankees, is being promoted to fill the bullpen vacancy. While this isn’t necessarily surprising in and of itself given Neris’s inconsistent performance, it’s an unfortunate end to the team’s biggest reliever acquisition last offseason.
Rather than go a little bigger for a multiyear agreement with a younger, higher-profile pitcher, the Cubs opted to sign Neris to a one-year deal with a $9 million guarantee.