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The Cubs are releasing closer Héctor Neris after he cleared waivers, sources confirmed to the Sun-Times. Neris becomes a free agent with six weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Cubs signed Neris to a one-year, $9 million contract over the offseason. It included a $9 million club option that would have converted to a player option if he had played 60 games or finished 45 for the team this season. He was at 46 games and 33 games finished.
Neris (3.89 ERA) began the season as a setup man, but as right-hander Adbert Alzolay struggled in the closer role and later was sidelined by a season-ending injury, the veteran Neris took on the responsibility.